A large rockslide occurred on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Last Chance Grade in Del Norte County, California, resulting in the full closure of a segment of US Route 101. The incident, caused by the continuous atmospheric river storms this winter, led to a hillside collapsing onto the highway near Klamath, California, close to the Oregon border. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Both directions of the two-lane highway are currently blocked, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has not provided an estimate for when the road will reopen. The region has experienced heavy rainfall due to strong El Niño patterns, with Crescent City receiving around 3 inches of rain from recent storms.

With more atmospheric river storm systems expected over the weekend and into next week, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for possible mudslides and landslides in Northern California. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center forecasts a daily risk of flash flooding in the region through Wednesday. The closure of this crucial transportation route underscores the challenges posed by the severe weather conditions faced by the residents and officials in the area.