Potholes damage cars and force traffic off the 71 Freeway in Pomona

Major potholes — exacerbated by a series of historic storms — damaged about 30 vehicles in the lanes of the northbound 71 Freeway in Pomona early Wednesday morning, officials said, forcing the California Highway Patrol to close the freeway for hours until repairs could be made.

At one point, there were so many vehicles with flat tires and damaged wheel rims near the Holt Avenue exit that some drivers couldn’t find a place to stop on the shoulder, CHP official Joseph Davila said.

Rain always presents a driving hazard, including the possibility of creating more potholes and widening existing pavement holes. California was hit by its 11th atmospheric river storm of the season this week, dumping torrential rain and snow on an already soaked state.

“It’s something that’s come up with every storm,” Davila said.

However, the long line of damaged cars lining the roadside on Wednesday set a new standard, he said.

“That was the worst so far,” said Davila.

Officers began receiving calls from damaged vehicles near Holt Avenue around 4:10 a.m. When officers arrived, about 20 vehicles were already stopped in the shoulder, he said.

“They had various types of damage to their vehicles — mainly to their tires and rims,” ​​Davila said.

No injuries were reported, but officers decided to close the highway. Drivers were diverted from Holt Avenue and allowed back onto the freeway at the next ramp.

The cause of the damage appeared to be about five large “crater” potholes, all closely spaced, Davila said.

“It wasn’t just the little ones,” he said.

At least one of the potholes was about 4 feet in diameter, he said.

Northbound lanes were closed until at least noon while Caltrans crews worked to repair the road, Davila said. A lane on the south side of the highway was also closed for repairs.