A child and his father went missing Thursday night as flood waters swept their vehicle away in Barstow. The incident occurred as a tropical storm brought heavy rain, flooding and debris flows to parts of the High Desert. (USA Today Network via Reuters)
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A child and his father went missing Thursday night as flood waters swept their vehicle away in Barstow.
The incident occurred as a tropical storm brought heavy rain, flooding and debris flows to parts of the High Desert and San Bernardino Mountains.
The storm flooded streets, roads and washes in Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley and other parts of the Mojave Desert.
For the latest evacuation status, visit the online map https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com.
Car Swept Away
Just after sunset, Alfredo Renteria recorded a video of rushing flood waters sweeping a white car away near Main Street and Lenwood Road, near the Mojave River.
The brake lights of the vehicle appear to illuminate just as the car disappears into the water.
Police would later identify Brandon Padilla Aguilera, 26 and his son, Xavier Padilla Aguilera, 2, as the occupants separated from each other and the vehicle while in the water.
That night, helicopters from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol were reported flying over the Mojave River east and west of Highway 58.
On Friday morning, the Barstow Police Department reported that at approximately 7:14 p.m. Thursday, police and fire officials responded to the area of West Main Street, west of Lenwood Road regarding a vehicle swept into a wash north of West Main Street.
Responding agencies requested to help included the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Police, California Highway Patrol, City of Barstow Public Works, Marine Corps Logistic Base Fire, Desert Ambulance, and San Bernardino County Fire’s Swift Water Rescue Team.
Numerous volunteers from the Desert Recovery Group and additional citizen volunteers assisted in searching for the subjects and vehicle.
At the scene, first responders discovered that the vehicle and occupants all became separated and traveled north with the floodwaters.
Brandon Aguilera was located on an island that had been created by the floodwaters and was rescued by Barstow Fire Department personnel and taken to Barstow Community Hospital where he was later released. The search for Xavier is ongoing.
Highway 247 Closed
State Route 247 was closed at Veterans Parkway and Northside Road due to active roadway flooding and debris, according to the California Highway Patrol Barstow Office.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area until further notice. Emergency crews are in the area actively working on the situation.
Mountain Flooding
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, in unified command with CAL FIRE, responded to mud and debris flows, which left several roads impassable and impacted homes in Forest Falls, Oak Glen and Potato Canyon, south of Big Bear.
On Thursday night, crews remained active in the area as Valley of the Falls Drive was currently blocked at Highway 38, with additional road blockages between Highway 38 and the top of Forest Falls.
Damage assessment teams will be in the field at first light tomorrow to evaluate structures and determine the extent of property loss, fire officials said.
There were no reports of injuries or missing persons connected to the incident in the mountain communities, however, authorities responded to a report of people stranded in vehicles, according to the fire department.
A group of approximately 10 people traveling in six to seven vehicles were stranded on Highway 38, in the area of Jenks Lake.
Though cut off by debris in both directions, the group made it to safety and their needs were being evaluated by emergency crews, officials said. Caltrans was also working to clear the roadway and restore access.
County fire officials asked the public to avoid the affected areas and stay tuned for further updates.
The National Weather Service reported a chance of thunderstorms in San Bernardino County on Friday, especially over the San Bernardino Mountains and the High Desert.
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Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Child missing as storm in San Bernardino County brings flooding, wreaks havoc
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
