The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Train delays, cancellations in wake of Acton flooding

by City News Service • August 4, 2017

Hot tropical weather Thursday, Aug. 3, spawned thunderstorms that sent flood waters rushing through the Acton area. [Photo by JAMES STAMSEK]
ACTON – Commuters are faced with train delays and cancellations Friday morning in Acton, where Thursday’s storms caused heavy flooding.

“The flash floods, which washed out roads and caused mudslides, also washed out tracks between Metrolink’s Via Princessa and Vincent Grade/Acton stations,” Metrolink spokesman Scott Johnson said.

Antelope Valley Line trains 200 and 202 between Lancaster and Los Union Station have been canceled, Johnson said. Metrolink will operate Antelope Valley Line train 285, which makes limited stops between Palmdale and Union Station.

L.A. County firefighters performed three air rescues of stranded motorists, according to the sheriff’s department. [JAMES STAMSEK]
“Friday’s schedule is subject to change and is dependent on the railroad tracks being repaired overnight between the Via Princessa and Vincent Grade/Acton stations,” Johnson said early Friday morning. “Due to the track repairs, trains that do operate will likely proceed at reduced speeds, which will lead to delays.”

Passengers are encouraged to check for service updates at www.metrolinktrains.com or follow @MetrolinkAV on Twitter.

Hot tropical weather earlier Thursday spawned thunderstorms that sent flood waters rushing through the Acton area, halting Metrolink service and prompting the evacuation of about 200 train passengers.

[JAMES STAMSEK]
National Weather Service forecasters had issued a flash flood watch for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley as “copious amounts of monsoonal moisture” streamed across Southern California throughout the day Thursday. The flooding in Acton was caused by an intense 30-minute midafternoon downpour that also inundated parts of the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Sierra Highway.

A hoist rescue of a man from the roof of a pickup truck that became stuck in rushing water occurred about 5:20 p.m. Thursday in the area of Syracuse Avenue and Crown Valley Road, where flood waters swamped several properties. Overall, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that county firefighters performed three air rescues of stranded motorists.

No injuries were reported.

Flooded and possibly undermined tracks near Aliso Canyon Road also brought the Metrolink train to a halt in the area, and officials later announced service was halted between Via Princessa and Lancaster on the Antelope Valley Line.

About 200 people were evacuated from the stopped train, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher. Metrolink was working to secure alternate transportation for stranded passengers, according to the sheriff’s department.   The county’s Department of Public Works was also working to clear roadways after receiving multiple calls about mud and rock debris. An NWS statement had warned that flash flooding and debris flows would be a threat especially in areas previously denuded in wildfires.

The assessment and clean-up of the area continues.  Calls for service should be directed to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station at 661-272-2400.

[JAMES STAMSEK]
[JAMES STAMSEK]
[JAMES STAMSEK]
[JAMES STAMSEK]
[JAMES STAMSEK]
–

Filed Under: Acton, Crime/ Safety

2 comments for "Train delays, cancellations in wake of Acton flooding"

  1. Shane Falco says

    August 4, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Nice work by everybody involved in the rescues.

    • Tim Scott says

      August 4, 2017 at 10:08 pm

      Patting yourself on the back, or was this your day off?

Recent Comments

  • Beecee, really? on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “Oh please, Epstein is dead because Trump’s family did not want all his dirt out and about. It’s despicable that…” Jan 27, 08:07
  • Duh! on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “What good is your business to you if you are dead or you find yourself with months or recovery ahead…” Jan 27, 08:03
  • Victoria Benson on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “Or just wait till its your business you’re ordered to close and you’re turned down for loans and you find…” Jan 27, 06:23
  • Lily on Dozens of missing kids recovered in joint L.A. County-based operation: “How sad and appalling that human trafficking is turned into a political issue. Self-centered people promoting their own political agenda…” Jan 27, 05:47
  • Linda on California lifts stay-at-home orders: “Yep, I agree! If we dont lock down COMPLETELY for at least 2-3 months, which we havent done yet, we…” Jan 27, 01:17

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use