Motorists stranded after part of scenic California highway collapses in storm

The road was damaged south of Rocky Creek Bridge in Big Sur, California (Caltrans District 5 via AP)

Motorists have been urged to avoid California’s Highway 1 after a section of the scenic route collapsed during an Easter weekend storm, forcing road closures and stranding motorists near Big Sur.

The collapse occurred amid heavy rain on Saturday afternoon near Rocky Creek Bridge about 17 miles south of Monterey, sending chunks of asphalt tumbling into the ocean from the southbound side of the two-lane road.