Sierra landslide forced I-80 to close in California

TRUCKEE, Calif. — Interstate 80 was shut down for hours in both directions near the California-Nevada state line after flash flooding from Sierra thunderstorms sent rocks and mud flowing onto the freeway.

The California Department of Transportation says Tuesday’s landslide was the size of a football field, with mud and debris 3 to 8 inches deep. Lanes were closed in both directions 1½ miles from the Nevada state line at about 4:30 p.m.

Eastbound traffic was diverted near Truckee until lanes were reopened about 4½ hours after the slide. Westbound traffic was redirected at the state line until those lanes were cleared about six hours after the slide.

California Highway Patrol Officer Trevor Fee says the hot temperatures combined with a thunderstorm caused the mud and rocks to dislodge.

No injuries were reported.