Free Republic

Flash flooding north of Los Angeles sent water and mud flowing into canyons and across roadways Thursday, trapping drivers and closing a stretch of one of the state's main north-south freeways. The California Highway Patrol reported a 30-mile section of Interstate 5 was blocked by flooding near Fort Tejon, about 75 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Drivers stuck in the mud waited for roads to be cleared while thousands more were diverted to alternate routes expected to take four or more hours to traverse through the mountain region in Southern California.

Search teams have recovered the body of a missing hiker who was killed by a flash flood in Utah's Zion national park in Utah. The group, identified late Thursday, were washed away soon after they secured a permit to explore the canyon. The men and women were washed away on Monday afternoon. Search teams have found the body of a seventh hiker killed in a rain-swollen canyon of Utah's Zion National Park hours after the ill-fated group obtained a park permit to venture into that area despite forecasts of probable flash flooding, park officials said on Thursday.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has expanded the state of the emergency to nine counties after Monday's flash flooding. The state of emergency now includes, Braxton, Wood, Webster, Clay, Lincoln, Logan, Nicholas, Putnam and Roane counties. The counties were added Tuesday afternoon after more damage was assessed. These counties experienced anything from rock slides and mudslides to flooding and property damage, according to the governor's proclamation.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- Days of heavy rains caused flash flooding in Colorado's Boulder County early Thursday that has closed streets, prompted evacuations, and left one person dead.