The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood warnings Friday afternoon for parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties, urging residents to take immediate precautions as heavy rain and thunderstorms move through the region.
The warning for Los Angeles County was issued around 3 p.m. and is expected to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Rainfall rates are projected to reach 0.5 to 1 inch per hour, with the potential to trigger life-threatening flash flooding, debris flows, and landslides, especially in burn scar areas and steep terrain.
At 4 p.m., Doppler radar detected thunderstorms in San Bernardino County, producing rainfall at a rate of 0.25 inches per hour. The warning for that area will stay in effect until 4:45 p.m.
Riverside County also came under a flash flood warning around 3:37 p.m., with Highway 74 between Mountain Center and Anza and the Lake Hemet area particularly at risk. Localized flooding has been reported in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
In addition, a flood advisory was issued for Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, signaling elevated concerns even in areas not under flash flood warnings.
What Residents Should Do:
- Avoid driving through flooded roads.
- Move to higher ground if you are in a flood-prone area.
- Monitor official weather alerts and local news sources for real-time updates.
Officials urge residents across all affected counties to remain vigilant and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions throughout the evening.
