A powerful atmospheric river slammed into Ventura County this week, turning holiday travels into a fight for survival for some. The heavy rainfall triggered a high stakes water rescue in the Ventura River that forced officials to shut down all southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway. The incident occurred during the peak of the storm as floodwaters rose rapidly, trapping a man beneath a bridge and creating a life or death situation for emergency responders.
🚁 Hoisting a Victim to Safety
The rescue was a race against time as the Ventura River transformed into a dangerous torrent of debris and fast moving water. A man who was living under the bridge called 911 after realizing he was trapped by the rising tide with no way to escape on his own. Because of the difficult location directly beneath the freeway structure, firefighters had to improvise a unique plan to get him to safety.
Crews utilized a "flying operations" maneuver where they lowered a firefighter into the river bottom to secure the victim in a harness. Using a massive ladder system, they hoisted the man directly from the churning water up to the roadway. Despite the intensity of the operation, the man was successfully rescued without any physical injuries. He was eventually able to walk into an ambulance to be evaluated by paramedics before being cleared.
🚦 Massive Traffic Gridlock on Christmas
While the rescue was a success, it created a massive headache for holiday commuters. The total closure of the southbound 101 Freeway led to miles of gridlock as drivers were forced to wait for the helicopter and rescue crews to finish their work. Traffic eventually began to move again once the area was secured, but the backup lasted for hours as the county continued to get hammered by rain.
Fire officials are using this event to urge the public to be extra cautious. The atmospheric river has caused widespread flooding and debris flows from the nearby mountainsides. With roads becoming slick and standing water accumulating in low lying areas, drivers are being told to stay home if they can. Many roads throughout Oxnard and Ventura remain closed or are experiencing significant flooding as the storm continues.
🛡️ High Alert for Debris and Flooding
The Ventura County Fire Department remains on high alert as more rain is expected to fall through the remainder of the week. Rescue teams have been pre-deployed to high risk areas to ensure they can respond quickly to any further emergencies. The ground is currently saturated, which increases the risk of trees falling and mudslides in fire scarred areas.
For those who must be on the roads, the message is simple: drive slowly and never attempt to cross flooded streets. As this man’s close call shows, the water can rise much faster than people realize. For now, officials are encouraging residents to treat the weather as a perfect excuse to stay inside, stay warm, and stay safe during the final days of the Christmas holiday.