Rain, dangerous driving conditions will continue through weekend







This seems to happen every time it rains.


Weather was a factor in at least three crashes in and near Long Beach, including a multicar collision on the San Diego (405) Freeway near Lakewood Boulevard.

Three lanes of the freeway, the on- and off-ramps at Lakewood and a portion of the thoroughfare itself were shut down around noon Thursday. At least four cars were involved, and a bobtail truck plunged over the freeway guardrail and down an embankment, said California Highway Patrol officer Ming Hsu.

No serious injuries were reported.

Late Wednesday, a car plowed into the side of a Church of Christ at 5909 Linden Ave. in Long Beach. One person was transported to the hospital and the church was red-tagged due to extensive damage.

Rain was also likely a factor in a single-car crash on the eastbound Artesia (91) Freeway near the Long Beach (710) Freeway about 12:49 p.m., officers said.

Long Beach Fire Department paramedics transported the driver, who spun out and hit the center divider, for X-rays and crews had to be called out to clean oil spilled onto the road.

The incident led to a brief closure of the number one lane, until about 1:15 p.m., officers said.


There will be a storm system today, another on Saturday and a third on Sunday.




Here, the weather was mostly an annoyance.


If there was any silver lining to the weather, Sweet said, it's that it cuts down on the fire danger normally a big concern this time of year.

Staff reporter Tracy Manzer contributed to this report.

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