Flash-flooding threat remains for Inland Empire
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- The flash-flooding threat remains for the Inland Empire on Monday as crews continue to clean up the mess left behind by heavy rain over the weekend.
A flash-flood watch was expected to be in effect until 8 p.m. for San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Fourteenth Street at Vine Street in Riverside remains closed after a storm deluged the area. Pumps used to clear out the water lost power for some time Sunday night before they began working again.
It was just one of several areas that were flooded after the sudden storm struck parts of the Inland Empire.
"It comes quick. So it would be raining, raining, raining and then out of nowhere, I'd say within 45 minutes to an hour, it just starts coming up higher and higher," said Riverside resident Chevy Campbell.
At least two cars were partially submerged in the flood waters at Lime and Poplar streets. The drivers of the vehicles were not harmed.
The storm toppled trees and snapped power lines. The flood waters even reached the front doorstep of one home, but the owners said there was no interior flooding.
Residents living near Poplar and Lime streets said the rain flooded a portion of their neighborhood in a matter of 15 minutes. They said rain water often pools in the street because there is no way for it to drain properly.
Two other vehicles were submerged in the area of 14th and Vine streets at the 91 Freeway.
"There were children in one of the cars that I did see, and another woman in another car," said witness Akila Crane. "But there was nothing they could do because if they would have gotten out of the car, I'm sure the water would have been waist-high."
A flash-flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. If you are in the warning area, move to higher ground immediately. People near streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property. Do not attempt to cross swiftly flowing waters or waters of unknown depth by foot or by automobile.
