Evacuation warnings lifted for IE communities in burn scar areas as storm brings rain, snow

YUCAIPA, Calif. (KABC) -- The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department lifted evacuation warnings Tuesday afternoon for several communities near burn scar areas amid another storm in the region.

Evacuation warnings were lifted for Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks and northeast Yucaipa, the Sheriff's Department announced before 3 p.m.

Those communities were under an evacuation warning because they are in the area of the El Dorado burn scar area.

As the ongoing atmospheric river barrels down rain and snow in Southern California, residents who live near burn scars are even more vulnerable to the effects of the storm, as the entire Inland Empire braces for the possibility of more storm damage.

The Inland Empire is set to be hit hard again from the ongoing storm as evacuation warnings have been issued for some areas.

The main concern in the lower elevations of the Inland Empire is flooding and mudslides. Snow in this case may actually be helpful because it will dampen the impact of any immediate flooding from rain.

Rescue teams on Tuesday had to rescue the driver of a SUV after the vehicle was swept away near Swarthout Canyon and Cajon Boulevard. Just down the road, the driver of semi-truck also had to be rescued.

For the mountain communities above 6,500 feet, snow was mainly expected. The flurries began to fall in places like Lake Arrowhead, and it is expected to reach up to 2 to 4 feet in some of the mountain communities.

Tire chains are required for the main highways leading up to the mountains, with visibility on the roads also being an issue.

The current storm is expected to last until Wednesday, when the skies will clear for at least a little while.