Photojournalist Brandy Carlos is known for her photographs of fires throughout Southern California. She shares her content on X as FirePhotoGirl.
On Sunday, Carlos traded fires for storms and documented not just the effects of Tropical Storm Hilary, but also her own close call.
She told L.A. Morning News’ Vicky Moore and Mike Simpson she had been filming all day out on Oak Glen Road.
“I chose to go up Oak Glen Road from the Cherry Valley side because I felt that it would be safer because the other side, which is closer to Yucaipa, and Potato Canyon has severe flooding all the time no matter what,” she explained.
But when she got there, a loud noise drew her attention.
“I heard the freight train sound, that really loud roar and I just turned over and I looked and it just started happening, very quickly,” she said.
She turned to see mudflow debris making its way to her.
“I had mudflow debris on every side of the road,” she said. “[It] started coming down the main road. It started coming down on the left side. I really had no options.”
That’s when she drove to Riley’s Farm, a historic apple orchard in the area.
“I actually drove as quick as I could to get to that house,” she said. “ I left my car behind - wasn't sure what was gonna happen - ran up to the top story of their house and just opened the door and walked in and there was about 10 people inside.”
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She and the others sheltered in place until the water subsided. Luck continued to be on her side when she returned to her car.
“My car was spared,” she said. “Thank God.”
She told L.A. Morning News that when it comes to moments like the one she experienced, it’s all about the choices presented to you at the moment.
“I know that the videos don't do it justice, but when you're there in the moment and you only have seconds to really think about what your choices are and what options you have,” she said. “My only option was to run and get to the closest house I could, which was [Riley’s Farm] and I'm so thankful that they took me in and let me, you know, shelter with them.”
As for her future of capturing more tropical storms, she declared on X, “Never again!”
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