SNOW, RAIN, PAIN DOWNPOUR KILLS TREES, SHUTS ROADS.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Snow closed the Golden State Freeway, and rain caused rock slides, a sinkhole, power outages and fallen trees.

But this long-overdue storm was welcomed Thursday in Santa Clarita, where parched hillsides thirsted for rainfall.

By Thursday afternoon, this first storm of 2001 had dropped close to 3 inches of rain on the area, but not without the seasonal havoc.

The overnight downpour was blamed for rock slides in Canyon Country - on Sand Canyon Road and on Soledad Canyon Road near Shadow Pines Boulevard. A sinkhole caused by a broken water main at Crossglade Avenue and Soledad was worsened by the storm and spread across three lanes, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials reported.

Trees across the city were uprooted as rain soaked the roots and high winds took advantage.

Flooding was reported on numerous streets, including Orchard Village Road and Wiley Canyon Road. Fire officials advised residents to clear outdoor drains after two homes in Newhall flooded when rainwater backed up.

City crews worked until dawn to make sure roads were open for morning traffic, sheriff's Lt. Steve Dolan said.

At 2:30 a.m. Thursday, the California Highway Patrol closed the Golden State Freeway at Templin Highway north of Castaic because of snow on the Grapevine.

``It was white-out conditions,'' Officer Doug Sweeney said.

The route was closed for about an hour. Typically, the freeway is closed at Lake Hughes Road in Castaic, but residents have complained in winters past about the heavy truck traffic that crowds the town for hours as snow plows cleared the lanes, Sweeney said.

In Canyon Country and Saugus, power outages came overnight as winds toppled power lines, Southern California Edison reported.

Specially trained swift-water rescue crews were sent to local fire stations, but by late Thursday none had been deployed, Battalion Chief Michael Singer said.

With more rain expected today, Singer warned residents to avoid low- lying areas in their cars and to stay out of river channels. Most victims of swollen waterways are those who go in the water to rescue someone else.

``Throw them a rope or a flotation device, but don't go in. Call us right away,'' Singer said.

In a less serious warning, Singer advised resident to clear leaves from drain grids on outdoor drainage systems to prevent water from backing up. If soil has accumulated in the pipe, clear it with a stream from a hose, he said.

Sandbags also are available at fire stations for residents in hillside neighborhoods or near construction areas that are subject to mudslide.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Snow blankets Frazier Park on Thursday, creating a picturesque scene for a winter stroll.

(2) A motorist challenges the Grapevine, which was closed for about an hour Thursday by snow.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer