Update: Flooding, mud reported on I-5

Here is the latest weather update:

Heavy rain was reported on the Grapevine at 1:30 p.m. with more rain to the west on the south side of Highway 166.

The northbound lanes of the Grapevine at the east escape ramp were flooded just before 2 p.m., according to reports from both the Kern County fire Department and Kern County Sheriff's Office.

The CHP said mud was flowing across the traffic lanes in several places about 1.5 miles south of GrapevineRoad.

The Weather Service issued this special weather statement just after noon Thursday:

At 1229 PM PDT... weather radar indicated several slow moving

thunderstorms continued to provide heavy rain over south Kings County

and northwest Kern County mainly west of Highway 43.

•The storms were moving to the west near 10 mph... and may produce locally heavy rain of half to one inch per hour resulting in local

flooding.

•Runoff from these storms may produce flooding in the west side of

the valley on I-5... and state highways 46 and 41. Drivers should

exercise extra caution due to wet and slick roads.

•The threat of flooding may spread toward the mountains this

afternoon as additional storms were developing over the Tulare County

mountains and Tehachapi Mountains.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on

small creeks and streams... and ponding of water on country roads and

farmland along the banks of creeks and streams.

Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the

roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross