Rain prompts flash flood warnings across Southern California, wreaks havoc along roads

Rain prompts flash flood warnings across Southern California, wreaks havoc along roads

Rain drenched portions of Southern California on Thursday, resulting in slick roads and long commutes as well as flash flood warnings and advisories across the region.

Communities in southwestern San Bernardino County and northern Riverside and Orange Counties received some of the heaviest rainfall, National Weather Service meteorologist Bruno Rodriguez said. Total precipitation slightly exceeded what forecasts predicted in those areas, where flash flood warnings were in effect from 2:22 p.m to 5:15 p.m.

As much as 1.78 inches of rain fell on Hemet, and 26 out of the 30 NWS weather monitoring stations in Riverside County recorded at least 1 inch of precipitation, Rodriquez said. A total of 1.49 inches of rain was recorded at Plunge Creek, northeast of Highland, and 1.34 inches of rain was logged at Chino Airport. Yorba Linda and Fullerton in Inland Orange County saw 1.07 and .8 inches of precipitation, respectively.

As of 3 p.m. Torrance, Whittier and Woodland Hills had received 0.80, 0.82 and 0.73 inches of rain, respectively, NWS Meteorologist Carol Smith said. At least 1.17 inches of rain fell in Long Beach, where firefighters had to rescue two people who became trapped in a drainage canal by rushing water. Meanwhile, crews in the City of Industry had to retrieve a person who climbed up a tree to escape a flash flood.

Firefighters in Jurupa Valley had to save two people from a disabled vehicle that was stranded in rising waters, Cal Fire Riverside officials said. Meanwhile, rescuers used a helicopter to save two adults and a minor from a heavily flooded storm channel near Lincoln Avenue and Rincon Street in Corona, Corona Fire Capt. Ryan Rolston said.

There were numerous reports of spun out vehicles across Los Angeles County, as well as rock and mud slides along the 14 Freeway in the Antelope Valley. Authorities also received multiple calls from motorists regarding waterlogged and impassable roads throughout Riverside County, Cal Fire spokeswoman Tawny Cabral said. A portion of the 60 Freeway near the 15 Freeway was shut down for several hours due to flooding, Rodriguez said.

Rain may have led to the partial collapse of a sidewalk in Redlands. Soaked streets led to potentially treacherous conditions for motorists. One woman who may have been speeding along wet asphalt died just south of Corona after her SUV slammed into a tree at about 3 p.m. on Knabe Road, near White Sage Road.

Scattered showers may persist through the workweek, but most of Southern California should stay dry through the weekend, Rodriguez said. However, another bout of heavy rainfall may come to the region as soon as Monday evening, along with cooler than average temperatures.