Highway 126: Heavy rain, mudslides blocked the main agricultural highway in Ventura County

MOORPARK, Calif. (KABC) — Highway 126, a vital route for Ventura County’s agribusiness, was partially closed Tuesday after the overnight storm left many sections impassable.

The roadway was covered with mud and debris in sections from Fillmore to Santa Paula. Even side roads were closed, leaving many people and vehicles stuck in one place for hours.

Portions of Sespe Creek, usually nearly dry, were filled to overflowing, even washing out part of a support that held railroad tracks crossing the waterway.

Area residents had mixed feelings about the heavy rain and understood that California needs all the water it can handle to deal with a long-term drought.

“We needed the rain. And we all love him. But not all at once,” said Daryl Smith, who lives on a ranch in Moorpark. “It’s a little hard.”

Damage from flooding and mudslides could cost farms in the region millions of dollars.

With such a high level of mud accumulation, it remains unclear when Highway 126 will reopen.