A flash flood watch has been issued through Monday evening for mountains and deserts of southwest California, including the San Gorgonio Pass, with specific mention of the Silver, Mountain and Hathaway fire burn areas.
From a National Weather Service statement issued just after 4 a.m. Aug. 25:
"Monsoonal moisture and moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ivo will increase across southwest California through Monday. This will bring more widespread thunderstorms and showers to the mountains and deserts with a chance of thunderstorms west of the mountains.
"This will increase the flash flood potential into Monday for the mountains and deserts with isolated flash flooding possible in the inland valleys.
"The threat for flash flooding and debris flows will be enhanced in and below recently burned areas."
The flash flood watch was issued for 10 a.m. Sunday through Monday evening for areas including Apple and Lucerne Valleys, the Coachella Valley, and the mountains on both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass.
"In addition to flash flooding . . . heavy rainfall could cause debris flows in and below the 2012 and 2013 burn areas including the Mountain Fire . . . the Silver Fire . . . the Hathaway Fire . . . the Highland Fire . . . the Windy Point Fire . . . the Gilman Fire . . . the Felipe Fire . . . the General Fire . . . " and other burn areas.
A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding and debris flows, the Weather Service stated.
"Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. Have a plan of action ready to shelter in place or move to higher ground when warnings are issued."
On Friday afternoon, forecasts of the approaching weather system prompted Cal Fire-Riverside County officials, who coordinated with the county Office of Emergency Services, to release the following:
"In preparation for a strong storm that has been forecasted to bring heavy rain to Riverside County this weekend, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire firefighters are offering free sand and sandbags for residents in the recent burn areas to aid in flooding prevention efforts.
"Affected residents are free to pick up supplies on Saturday, August 24th, 8 a.m. at the Lakeland Village Fire Station #11 located at 33020 Maiden Lane, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 and the Garner Valley Fire Station #53 located at 59200 Morris Ranch Road, Mountain Center, CA 92561. Residents will be required to fill their own sandbags.
"CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department wants to remind residents not to drive through flooded areas. If you come across a flooded area while driving, stop, turn the car around and take another route. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related. Personal safety should always be the number one priority.
"Additionally, please call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
"For more information on flood preparation and flood safety, please visit our website at http://www.rvcfire.org/onLineServices/Safety/Pages/Neighborhood-Safety.aspx."
Editor's Note: Post-fire erosion and flash floods can be deadly as well as destructive. Whatever unfolds depends on forecast accuracy and other variables, including storm cell locations, movement and rain intensities relative to burn area slopes and watershed volumes.
See Banning-Beaumont Patch and Palm Desert Patch for more on Tropical Storm Ivo reported Friday.
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