91 Freeway Tanker Explosion in Anaheim Hills stalls Memorial Day Weekend traffic.
I am not sure this could have happened on a worse day. I know so many of the people I care about that had plans this weekend that my heart goes out to them.
The accident was initially reported at the 91 and Weir Canyon in Anaheim Hills, but I just heard an update on KNX 1070 AM that the accident is actually a little further east. The helicopter reporter said it looks like a crater in the highway. I saw a television news report that said they either could not stop the fuel truck burning or decided to let it burn off. It took several hours to burn. The accident launched an import car from the eastbound lanes into the westbound lanes. Traffic in both directions on the 91 Freeway is stopped. They are estimating 6 hours until it starts again.
Alternate routes include the 57, 60 and 10, but I heard there was an overturned big rig on the 10.
Bottom line; change your travel plans!
Be My Neighbor Mortgage - San Antonio, TX
Your Texas Lender
What a nightmare for CA travel. WE all know you take the 91 to get out of town. Many take it just to get home.
Oh my, as a former OC resident, I would expect that if I still lived there, my friends/family would be "crashing" at my place tonight, rather than face the traffic.
The 91 has been a nightmare for years, even after they installed the toll road.
Best of luck to my CA friends.
May 28, 2010 10:37 AM
American Capital Corporation - Laguna Beach, CA
Orange County Senior Loan Consultant
Vic Ive already heard from a couple friends who have had to alter their weekend plans because of this, really bad timing!
May 28, 2010 10:46 AM
Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA
Eastvale - 951-847-4883
What a horrible situation. I hope that no one was seriously hurt or worse. Traffic is always bad on the Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend - and now I know why it was so bad on the 15 today (worse than usual even for a holiday weekend)....
May 28, 2010 11:06 AM
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo
What a terrible thing to happen on a family holiday weekend! Not only for those who are afffected by the accident, but also for the families of those involved. What a horrible thing.
Have a good safe weekend, everybody!
May 28, 2010 11:09 AM
Vic Steele, Broker CA DRE 01349863 - Anaheim Hills, CA
Broker/Consultant
I first reported this on our Facebook Orange County page, but it did not go viral to get the word out. I'm counting on the Active Rain professionals to tell their friends in SoCal; DO NOT TRAVEL TODAY.
It is a traffice nightmare: Here is the latest video I have on it; http://cbs2.com/video/?id=135932%40kcbs.dayport.com
Thank you Melissa for re-blogging this. That did not even occur to me.
Christine I had two team members take the day off and both are sitting at home planning on leaving tomorrow morning.
Wonderful sentiment from you Michael; the reporters are saying Minor to Moderate injuries, but the description of the accident is horrific. The tanker launched an import car into opposing lanes.
I know the travelers would feel some level of relief knowing your sincere wishes Dagny!
May 28, 2010 11:17 AM
Vic Steele, Broker CA DRE 01349863 - Anaheim Hills, CA
Broker/Consultant
The Westbound lanes are now open! The truck fire is finally out after burning for about 4 hours.
2 Semi Trucks and 4 cars were involved in the crash. Here is an informative video from KCAL9 News.
They are finishing up the accident reconstruction, then working on the hazmat, then working on repairing the freeway where there are divots in the roadway. They hope to open the outside two lanes sometime later today, but this is going to be a SLOW fix.
May 28, 2010 11:53 AM
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent
Vic, at 11:00 this morning, I had just left my client's home in Corona, and got on the 91 freeway to go back to my office in Whittier via the 71 to the 60 to the 605. Well, I was on the 91 for about a minute when everything slowed to a crawl. After driving and stopping for a half hour, I finally got off and tried to take surface streets north so I could later go west and catch the 71. You can't do it! All of the northbound surface streets end up in dead ends in factories or subdivisions or the airport. I drove round and round, trying to get out of there. Finally, when I was about to run out of gas, I made it to the western boundary of Corona, and managed to find a gas station, right at the intersection where they were allowing people back on the 91 freeway, west-bound. I took the 91 over to Imperial Hwy, and passed through your area, where the big Anaheim Hills sign is, and thought, "This is Vic's area."
I finally got to my East Whittier office at 1:15 p.m., exhausted, but safe.
May 28, 2010 02:28 PM
Beth Lester Designs - Torrance, CA
Home Staging & Interior Decorating
Thanks - I had heard the freeway was closed but I didn't know why. That's why we never try to get out of LA on holiday weekends.
May 28, 2010 03:52 PM
Vic Steele, Broker CA DRE 01349863 - Anaheim Hills, CA
Broker/Consultant
What a nightmare day you had Bob. I was sitting in my office trying to figure out a way to get a couple of coolers of water onto the freeway and I realized I had no way to do it and a couple of coolers would not be nearly enough. Very cool that you thought about me when you drove through Anaheim Hills and then found that I was on top of things when you got to the office!
Do you have a listing in Corona? I have two buyers looking for homes in that area Bob.
It was an absolute nightmare Beth, as Bob can attest. Fortunately, all of my clients heard about it in time and did not get stuck on the freeway!
May 29, 2010 02:55 PM
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent
Vic, no I don't have a listing in Corona. I was getting papers signed by my client who is selling her home in Whittier.
Yes, it really shows the impact that Active Rain can have on a person. Simply from reading your blog posts on AR, I immediately remembered and associated you with Anaheim Hills. I imagine that could happen with anyone reading your blogs. Good job of branding yourself!
May 30, 2010 03:35 AM
Vic Steele, Broker CA DRE 01349863 - Anaheim Hills, CA
Broker/Consultant
As I do with you in Whittier Bob. Whittier is one of the most unique cities in the area because of how far it is from the freeway. I've had a few people over the years look there; it feels good knowing I can lean on you in the future!
May 30, 2010 06:54 AM
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA
When I lived in Houston in the late 1970s, a tanker truck took the curve too fast on the top road of one of those spaghetti bowl interchanges and fell to the ground. The resulting boom, crater, and smoke was something else. I worked on the 33rd floor of the American General Tower and we could see everything. I don't think anyone got any work done that day.
Jun 03, 2010 03:47 PM
Rainmaker
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Vic Steele
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