Car Swept into Ocean with Person Inside During Terrifying California Mudslides (Video)

Just weeks after devastating wildfires scorched the hills of Los Angeles, nature has struck again.

A powerful Pacific storm pummeled the California coastline Thursday, unleashing torrential rain, flash floods, and catastrophic mudslides. In a shocking scene caught on camera, a car was swept off the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and dragged toward the sea—with the driver still inside.

Heroic Escape Amid Chaos

The dramatic footage shows the vehicle trapped in a churning debris flow, tumbling down the rain-soaked highway before wedging against the jagged coastline. The driver—identified as a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department—miraculously escaped and was pulled to safety. First responders confirmed he suffered only minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

Eyewitnesses described the moment with horror and disbelief. “It was like watching a disaster movie—except it was real,” said longtime Malibu resident Thomas Caldwell. “One moment the car was there, the next it was gone, swallowed by mud and water.”

Storm Batters Already-Weakened Region

This latest disaster is another gut punch to an already struggling region. Just last month, wildfires ripped through the Santa Monica Mountains, leaving behind scorched earth and weakened hillsides. Experts had warned that heavy rain would trigger landslides, and their worst fears were realized as massive debris flows buried roads, toppled power lines, and flooded neighborhoods.

“This is exactly what we feared after the fires,” said Caltrans spokesperson Lisa Martinez. “The land has no vegetation to hold back the water, and now we’re seeing the consequences.”

Highway Closures and Safety Warnings

Authorities have shut down several major roadways, warning of continued danger:

• 🚧 PCH FULLY CLOSED between Chautauqua Blvd & Carbon Beach Terrace. (#SR1)
• 🚧 Topanga Canyon Blvd. FULLY CLOSED between PCH and Grand View Dr. (#SR27)

Officials say only essential workers will be allowed through, as unstable hillsides pose an ongoing risk.

Relentless Weather Pummels California

The storm dumped approximately two inches of rain over Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades, overwhelming drainage systems and sending torrents of water through streets. Forecasters expect scattered showers to continue through Friday, but relief may be on the way with a drier weather pattern expected over the weekend.

Still, for many Californians, the damage is already done. “First the fires, now this,” said local business owner Mark Ellison. “It feels like we can’t catch a break.”

With emergency crews still assessing the full extent of the destruction, officials warn that the situation remains fluid. Residents are urged to stay informed, avoid closed areas, and prepare for additional weather threats in the coming days.