Thursday, January 21st, 2010.
Issue 03, Volume 14.
RIVERSIDE - The fourth storm to bear down on Riverside County in four days brought flash flooding, mudslides and generally bad driving conditions, including gusty winds that blew over three trucks on Interstate 10 in Blythe today.
The National Weather Service predicted rain and thunderstorm activity would continue into Friday. A flood watch for Riverside and San Bernardino counties was in effect through 10 tonight.
Snow levels will drop to 4,500 feet. Temperatures in the Riverside area were expected to fall to around 40 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Conditions tied to the unstable weather prompted Riverside County officials to issue an emergency proclamation today, placing all available public safety personnel on alert. The action followed California Attorney General Jerry Brown's state of emergency declaration for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties.
Brown, who is acting governor while Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Washington, D.C., said the declaration was intended to free up resources and funds to address storm-related problems that might overwhelm local personnel.
Meantime, heavy rain led to spot flooding countywide today.
On state Route 79, near Vail Lake Road east of Temecula, a mudslide pushed a vehicle 70 feet down a precipice, requiring firefighters to rescue the motorist.
Water and debris flow prompted the California Highway Patrol to close part of the Ortega Highway between Riverside and Orange counties.
Riverside County firefighters rescued four people trapped in Advertisement
vehicles surrounded by water at Murrieta Road and Park City Avenue in Menifee, as well as motorists stuck at Dawson and McLaughlin roads and Encanto and Rouse roads.
On westbound state Route 79, near Vail Lake Road in Temecula, a sinkhole developed, causing traffic to be diverted this afternoon, according to the CHP.
Northbound Interstate 215, just south of Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside flooded around 12:15 p.m., causing traffic delays.
An underpass at a railroad crossing on 14th Street near Howard Avenue flooded around 12:30 p.m., prompting Riverside police to close access to the area.
Gusty winds overturned four big rigs around 4 p.m. on westbound Interstate 10 near mile markers 147 and 149, in Blythe, near the Arizona state line, said CHP Officer Ramon Perez.
The westbound side of the interstate was closed until the trailers could be removed by a tow truck, Perez said.
A tornado watch is in effect in southeastern Riverside County, including Blythe, until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Around 3 p.m., radar detected a possible short-lived tornado about five miles west of the Blythe Airport, and winds gusted at more than 70 mph, the National Weather Service reported.
Riverside Municipal Airport recorded 1.03 inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending 5 p.m. Thursday; Hemet recorded 1.7 inches; and Palm Springs recorded 2.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Issue 03, Volume 14.
RIVERSIDE - The fourth storm to bear down on Riverside County in four days brought flash flooding, mudslides and generally bad driving conditions, including gusty winds that blew over three trucks on Interstate 10 in Blythe today.
The National Weather Service predicted rain and thunderstorm activity would continue into Friday. A flood watch for Riverside and San Bernardino counties was in effect through 10 tonight.
Snow levels will drop to 4,500 feet. Temperatures in the Riverside area were expected to fall to around 40 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Conditions tied to the unstable weather prompted Riverside County officials to issue an emergency proclamation today, placing all available public safety personnel on alert. The action followed California Attorney General Jerry Brown's state of emergency declaration for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties.
Brown, who is acting governor while Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Washington, D.C., said the declaration was intended to free up resources and funds to address storm-related problems that might overwhelm local personnel.
Meantime, heavy rain led to spot flooding countywide today.
On state Route 79, near Vail Lake Road east of Temecula, a mudslide pushed a vehicle 70 feet down a precipice, requiring firefighters to rescue the motorist.
Water and debris flow prompted the California Highway Patrol to close part of the Ortega Highway between Riverside and Orange counties.
Riverside County firefighters rescued four people trapped in Advertisement
vehicles surrounded by water at Murrieta Road and Park City Avenue in Menifee, as well as motorists stuck at Dawson and McLaughlin roads and Encanto and Rouse roads.
On westbound state Route 79, near Vail Lake Road in Temecula, a sinkhole developed, causing traffic to be diverted this afternoon, according to the CHP.
Northbound Interstate 215, just south of Van Buren Boulevard in Riverside flooded around 12:15 p.m., causing traffic delays.
An underpass at a railroad crossing on 14th Street near Howard Avenue flooded around 12:30 p.m., prompting Riverside police to close access to the area.
Gusty winds overturned four big rigs around 4 p.m. on westbound Interstate 10 near mile markers 147 and 149, in Blythe, near the Arizona state line, said CHP Officer Ramon Perez.
The westbound side of the interstate was closed until the trailers could be removed by a tow truck, Perez said.
A tornado watch is in effect in southeastern Riverside County, including Blythe, until 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Around 3 p.m., radar detected a possible short-lived tornado about five miles west of the Blythe Airport, and winds gusted at more than 70 mph, the National Weather Service reported.
Riverside Municipal Airport recorded 1.03 inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending 5 p.m. Thursday; Hemet recorded 1.7 inches; and Palm Springs recorded 2.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.