BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Heavy rain on Saturday led to mudslides that temporarily closed parts of Highway 58, evoking memories of a more severe shutdown a decade ago. Conditions have since improved, and the highway was clear by Monday.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Mojave Officer Aaron Maurer reported that it took about two hours to clear the highway on Saturday.
“Since I’ve been at CHP Mojave, there have not been too many weather-related incidents that have closed the freeway, mudslide-related, for a significant amount of time,” Maurer said. He urged drivers to slow down in poor weather conditions.
The situation was much different in 2015 when a severe mudslide shut down Highway 58 for several days.
On Saturday, a crash on the highway near Keene resulted in the death of a semi-truck driver. CHP reported 25 collisions in Bakersfield, two in Fort Tejon, and two in Buttonwillow.
Some drivers, like Damien Hernandez, view the highway as unsafe in wet weather.
“Not at all. I’ve spun out a few times. I’ve fish-tailed a few times. The mud, the water, when it gets cold. It’s not safe at all,” Hernandez said.
Comment with Bubbles
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Others, like Jacob, have not encountered problems but acknowledge the challenging terrain. “I’ve never encountered any problems with it. But I mean, the terrain is the terrain. You go through valleys and hills, so obviously it’s not the safest route,” he said.