1965 — Nov 22-24, heavy rain, flash flooding and mudslide, Southern CA –>7-13

–>7-13 Blanchard estimated death toll range.*

–>13 AP. “13 Dead as South Floods Continue.” San Mateo Times, CA. 11-24-1965, p. 1.
— 12 AP. “Fear 12 Die In South State Flash Floods.” San Mateo Times, CA. 11-23-1965, p. 1.
— 11 Hedman and Pearson. Floods of November and December 1965 in Southern California.
— >7 ESSA, Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 11, November 1965, p. 132.

–1 Cucamonga Wash. Car swept away by flash flood; Daniel R. Solis, 34.
–1 Desert Hot Springs. Drowning after leaving marooned car for help; Carl Kranzler, 72.
–1 Elsinore, Riverside Co. Drowning; rain-filled excavation behind home; Steven Anthony Moreno, 1½.
–1 Palm Springs area. Flash flood sweeps two-ton truck away; truck found, Steve Chiatovich, 45, missing.
–1 San Bernardino, Lytle Creek Wash. Drowning; Michael Wayne Weyls, 27.
–1 San Bernardino. Slipped off home roof trying to fix leak; William S. Reynolds, 70.
–1 Locale not noted. Mudslide hits a home; Mrs. Ana Maria Palos, 67.

*Blanchard note: We have been able to identify seven specific fatalities. Storm Data notes that there were at least seven reported deaths. Newspapers subsequent to the flooding noted up to 12-13 deaths. Not knowing definitively what the actual death toll was, we note the reported death toll range.

Narrative Information

ESSA, Storm Data: “Central and southern California…23-24…7 [killed]…Heavy rain.

“Rain resulted in flash flooding, destroying highways, downing utility lines, and sweeping cars from the road. At least three are known drowned; four others are missing and presumed drowned.” (Environmental Science Services Admin., Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 11, Nov 1965, p. 132).

Hedman and Pearson, USGS: “….More than 12 inches of precipitation was reported at Mount Baldy and Big Bear Lake on November 23, 1065….Eleven deaths were attributed to the storm and the resulting floods [presumably the death toll for the entire time-frame covered].” (p. 1)

“Rainfall was substantially above normal throughout southern California, including the desert areas, for the month of November 1965. Precipitation was generally 4 to 8 times the average, and record totals for the month occurred at many stations, particularly in the mountain areas. Total precipitation for November of more than 30 inches was reported by the U.S. Weather Bureau at several stations in the San Gabriel Mountains, with a maximum of 37.92 inches reported at Opids Camp…and precipitation of about 40 inches was reported by several other observers….New record totals for the month were reported at Los Angeles Civic Center (9.68 inches), Long Beach (7.69 inches), and San Diego (5.82 inches). New records for precipitation in November were established at Burbank, including the greatest total precipitation for the month, the greatest for 1 day, the greatest number of days in the month with 1 inch or more, and the greatest number with 0.1 inch or more.

“….During the second storm [first being Nov 13-19], November 21-26, substantial precipitation occurred November 22-24 with storm totals of more than 20 inches at some mountain locations….Most stations reported the greatest 24-hour totals for the month November 22 or 23. At Big Bear Lake and Mount Baldy more than 12 inches fell November 23, and a number of other foothill and mountain areas received 1-day totals exceeding 8 inches. Most areas, however, received from 2 to 5 inches of rain.” (p. 6)

“The runoff from the storm of November 21-26 was in sharp contrast to that from the November 13-19 storm. The November 21-26 storm produced immediate and intense runoff when rain fell on ground having a high soil-moisture content….” (p. 16)

(Hedman and Pearson. Floods of November and December 1965 in Southern California. Geological Survey, 5-12-1966.)

Newspapers

Nov 22, NYT: “Los Angeles, Nov. 22 (AP) — Drenching rains deluged Southern California today, isolating the desert resort of Palm Springs, sending mudslides oozing into homes, flooding intersections and causing evacuation of threatened residents. All four roads leading into and out of Palm Springs were closed tonight by flash floods pouring off the San Jacinto Mountains. Some motorists, stranded on the roads, were rescued by helicopter. Power was knocked off in Palm Springs for 45 minutes at 6:45 P.M.

“In Topanga Canyon, northwest of Los Angeles, sheriff’s deputies evacuated residents whose homes were threatened by mudslides. More than 50 families were isolated by floodwaters in the Riverwood Ranch Road area of Los Angeles.

“Blythe, Calif., reported nearly twice the normal monthly November rainfall within six hours, compared with .22 inches for a normal November total. In a six-hour period Burbank, Calif., recorded .91 inches and Los Angeles .85 inches….” (New York Times. “Palm Springs Hit by Flash Floods.” 11-23-1965, p. 30.)

Nov 23, AP: “Los Angeles (AP) – A new storm bore down on California today after a night of deluges that sent flash floods surging across highways and through towns, scattering cars like toys and isolating several communities. At least a dozen were believed killed. The desert resort of Palm Springs was all but cut in half by a flood that swept down from the adjoining San Jacinto mountains. Eyewitnesses told authorities that three persons in autos were carried away, and a man wading for help disappeared in a current. One body was found and the others were presumed drowned. Similar floods roared out of canyons of the San Bernardino mountains between Los Angeles and San Bernardino 60 miles east.

“At a point where Cucamonga Wash crosses a road west of San Bernardino a flash flood swept a dozen autos half a block. Witnesses said the cars could be seen tumbling along, some with lights still burning. Most drivers and passengers got away. One motorist was not able to get out and disappeared. Another vanished while trying to wade to safety. A fireman hanging from an extension ladder over a car nearly covered with water, felt around inside it as waters swirled in a dramatic try to make sure there was no one trapped. The car was empty.

“Lytle Creek in northeast San Bernardino also went wild. When one car was stalled the male driver escaped, but his woman passenger was swept away and went over a waterfall. Another woman reportedly was lost in her car. Ground parties, skin divers and three helicopters searched for bodies today.

“The current storm, which hit Sunday and let up today, was the second siege of heavy downpours in 10 days – giving Southern California its wettest November in history. The weather bureau said heavy rain from two new storms – the first expected to hit tonight – is on the way.

“Some communities received nearly four inches of rain overnight. Scores of roads were blocked by floods, mud or rock slides. Several mountain communities were completely isolated. At Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, adjoining mountain resorts, 10 to 12 inches were reported in 24 hours….” (AP. “Fear 12 Die In South State Flash Floods.” San Mateo Times, CA. 11-23-1965, 1.)

Sources

AP (Associated Press). “13 Dead as South Floods Continue.” San Mateo Times, CA. 11-24-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-nov-24-1965-p-1/

AP (Associated Press). “Fear 12 Die In South State Flash Floods.” San Mateo Times, CA. 11-23-1965, p. 1. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-nov-23-1965-p-35/

Arcadia Tribune, CA. “Helen Baird’s Brother Caught in Flash Flood.” 11-28-1965, p. 3. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/arcadia-tribune-nov-28-1965-p-3/

Environmental Science Services Administration, Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 11, November 1965. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-91B1B0B3-5238-4D93-8F16-FD41CC99B17F.pdf

Hedman, E. R. and E. G. Pearson. Floods of November and December 1965 in Southern California. Menlo Park, CA: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, 5-12-1966. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1966/0061/report.pdf

New York Times. “Palm Springs Hit by Flash Floods.” 11-23-1965, p. 30. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/11/23/95004184.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0

Santa Anna Register, CA. “Rain Mainly a Pain Now.” 11-24-1965, p. A11. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-register-nov-24-1965-p-49/

UPI (United Press International). “4 Die as Floods Sweep California.” New York Times, 11-24-1965, p. 22. Accessed 5-24-2022 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/11/24/95915947.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0