Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Flash Flood Warnings for Mountain Fire Burn Area, Big Bear

Update 8:14 p.m. Flash flood warnings have expired in the mountains north and south of the San Gorgonio Pass, but one warning remained in effect until 8:15 p.m. for northwest San Bernardino County.

According to the National Weather Service, radar at Edwards Air Force Base indicated light rain was still falling before 7 p.m. and some roads in and around Ridgecrest were closed due to flash flooding earlier Monday July 22.

Update 2:22 p.m. 
A flash flood warning for the mountains north of Banning and Beaumont has been extended until 5 p.m.

"At 1:54 p.m. . . . intense thunderstorms were occurring in the vicinity of Big Bear Lake capable of very heavy rainfall and flash flooding," the National Weather Service advised.

"Most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road."

Update 1:04 p.m. 
Flash flood warnings were in effect Monday afternoon in the mountains on both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass, including the Mountain Fire burn area, and up to two inches of rain were estimated from a storm near Big Bear Lake before 12:30 p.m.

From a National Weather Service flash flood statement:

"A flash flood warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. for southwestern San Bernardino County . . . . At 12:24 p.m. . . . rader continued to indicate a very heavy thunderstorm between Fawnskin and Big Bear Lake."

The storm had moved "little over the past half hour but was expanding slowly to the southeast near Big Bear Lake. Radar estimates up to two inches has fallen locally with this thunderstorm. Flash flooding is likely with this thunderstorm in rural areas along the north slope of the mountains."

Posted 12:17 p.m. 
A flash flood warning was issued just before noon Monday July 22 for the 42-square-mile Mountain Fire burn area near Idyllwild.

"At 11:24 a.m. . . . thunderstorms were developing over and near the Mountain Fire burn area," a National Weather Service bulletin stated.

"Locations in the warning area include but are not limited to San Jacinto Peak . . . Idyllwild-Pine Cove . . . Idyllwild . . . and the Mountain burn area. . . . 

"Watersheds burned in 2013 by the Mountain Fire . . . in Riverside County near Idyllwild . . . Pine Cove and Lake Hemet . . . are particularly susceptible to flash floods and debris flows from this rainstorm," the NWS bulletin stated.

"Locations along drainages within or below any of the burned basins may be impacted by flash floods and debris flows. Residents and motorists in and below recent burned areas should be alert to heavy mud and debris flows which may block roads and culverts.

"Potentially dangerous flooding and property loss could result in areas where runoff is restricted or blocked. Heavy rainfall amounts are likely this afternoon."

To read today's Mountain Fire coverage and previous reports click here.


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