2006-12-29 Truck spills pallets on I-10 as rain falls

REDLANDS - A semi-truck spilled pallets onto Interstate 10 near Orange Street early this morning.

According to California Highway Patrol spokesman Rick Gracey, the truck turned over, spilling its load onto the freeway and causing the first two lanes to be closed for clean up around 6 a.m. today.

The first lane remained closed while clean up continued, which was estimated to be completed around 10 a.m.

No injuries were caused by the accident.

Gracey said the rainy weather likely caused the spill.

In Redlands, seven tenths of an inch of rain had fallen by 8 this morning.

According to National Weather Service forecaster Stan Wasowski, the rain is expected to hold off for the rest of the day causing cooler temperatures because of cloud coverage.

Snow is expected in the mountains as well as strong gusty winds and flash-flood watches are also in effect for areas denuded by this year's wildfires.

Half an inch of snow had fallen by 9 this morning in Big Bear Lake, according to Chris Riddle, director of marketing for Snow Summit.

Sunny weather is expected to return Thursday, Wasowski said.

Flash-flood watches were in effect for areas denuded by this year's wildfires, including the 162,700-acre Day Fire in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

The storm was bringing a large swell into coastal waters and high surf advisories were issued.

RRMariners are urged to remain in safe harbor until this storm weakens completely,' the National Weather Service said.

After the rain, strong northerly winds were expected to develop, with offshore flow through and below passes and canyons in mountain and valley areas Thursday. Forecasters said gusts would exceed 75 mph in some areas.

The chance of precipitation was greatest in mountain areas, where the snow level was likely to drop to 4,500 feet by the end of the storm. Forecasters predicted up to 6 inches of snow.

The coastal Los Angeles County forecast called for a low of about 50 degrees Wednesday and a high in the mid-60s.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

E-mail Staff Writer Darcie Flansburg at dflansburg@redlandsdailyfacts.com