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Big Landslide Causes Flooding In Humboldt County

HUMBOLDT COUNTY (CBS/AP) - Humboldt County officials are closely monitoring a large landslide that caused a creek to flood and prompted the closure of a school.

The slide occurred between Blocksburg and Alderpoint in a rural area of southern Humboldt County.

Public Works Director Tom Mattson said Wednesday the hillside began breaking apart under heavy rain last week and dammed up Dobbyn Creek with mud, trees and rocks.

Mattson said the creek has rerouted itself around the slide and now threatens a private home and Alder Point Road.

Officials closed Casterlin Elementary on Wednesday because of worries that flooding could affect transportation.

About 30 miles away, another massive landslide shut down Highway 101 near Garberville last week. Transportation officials have opened one lane in each direction of the highway.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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