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Hilary updates: Over 1 foot of rain hits San Bernardino as LA avoids catastrophe

All tropical storm warnings have been canceled across Southern California as the remnants of Hilary, which no longer meet the threshold of a tropical cyclone, track north.

Once a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary tore through Southern California with historic rainfall on Sunday, flooding roads and knocking out power.


Latest Developments


Aug 21, 2:46 PM

Hilary's record-breaking stats

Hilary, the first tropical storm to move into Southern California since 1997, marked the first time ever that tropical storm watches were issued in the region.

PHOTO: Interstate 10 is devoid of traffice due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Aug. 21, 2023. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
PHOTO: Interstate 10 is devoid of traffice due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Aug. 21, 2023. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)

Sunday set a new record for the wettest August day ever in Palm Springs, San Diego and downtown Los Angeles.

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Hilary's highest rain total was in Upper Mission Creek in San Bernardino County, where 13 inches of rainfall was recorded.

PHOTO: Ronald Mendiola returns his home through a flooded street after Tropical Storm Hilary passed Cathedral City, California, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston? (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)
PHOTO: Ronald Mendiola returns his home through a flooded street after Tropical Storm Hilary passed Cathedral City, California, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston? (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)

-ABC News' Melissa Griffin


Aug 21, 2:11 PM

Rescue teams work to evacuate hundreds of people

In Forest Falls, California, about 700 people are sheltering in place after mud and debris flow cut a road off from the rest of the community, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. No injuries were reported and crews are working to restore road access, the fire department said.

In nearby Seven Oaks, another 30 people are sheltering in place after flash floods struck several cabins in the area, the fire department said. Crews are working to access the residents and evacuate them, the department said.


Aug 21, 11:43 AM

Tropical storm warnings canceled across Southern California

All tropical storm warnings have been canceled across Southern California as the remnants of Hilary, which no longer meet the threshold of a tropical cyclone, track north, according to Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service Los Angeles.

Residual mudslides and rockslides are still a threat in California from the weekend rain.

The moisture from Hilary is now moving through the Rockies. On Monday, the flooding threat will be from the Sierra Nevada mountains into the northern Rockies in Idaho and eastern Oregon.


Aug 21, 11:30 AM

LA schools expected to reopen on Tuesday

Los Angeles "avoided a potentially catastrophic set of conditions" from Hilary, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said Monday.

PHOTO: A worker walks past a fallen tree blocking Pico Boulevard, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Ryan Sun/AP)
PHOTO: A worker walks past a fallen tree blocking Pico Boulevard, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Ryan Sun/AP)

Carvalho defended the decision to close LA's public schools on Monday citing reasons including that many students walk to school and many employees live outside of LA.

"It would have been reckless for us to make a different decision" on Sunday, he said.

PHOTO: The Los Angeles River swells with rushing water near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Aug. 20, 2023. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
PHOTO: The Los Angeles River swells with rushing water near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Aug. 20, 2023. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Schools appear to be in good condition, he said, noting that about 24 schools don't have phone or internet access and one elementary school that serves students with disabilities appears to have been impacted by a mudslide.

Carvalho said students should expect to resume their regular school day on Tuesday.


Aug 21, 11:20 AM

LA residents should stay vigilant for mudslides, downed wires

No deaths or major injuries have been reported in Los Angeles from Tropical Storm Hilary, LA Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Monday.

PHOTO: Gushing flood water and debris rush down a roadway during Tropical Storm Hilary, in Angeles National Forest, Calif., Aug. 20, 2023, in an image from video. (California Dept. of Transportation via Reuters)
PHOTO: Gushing flood water and debris rush down a roadway during Tropical Storm Hilary, in Angeles National Forest, Calif., Aug. 20, 2023, in an image from video. (California Dept. of Transportation via Reuters)

While LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said no major damage has been confirmed, the mayor warned that "damage can occur in the hours and days after a storm hits, so Angelenos should continue to stay vigilant."

Mudslides and downed wires are also still a threat, Crowley cautioned, adding that residents should continue to avoid flooded roads.

She said rescuers on Sunday night responded to a flooded intersection where five cars were stranded. No one was hurt, she said.

The mayor added that no injuries were reported from Sunday's earthquake, which was unrelated to Hilary.


Aug 21, 10:48 AM

Over 1 foot of rain hits San Bernardino County

Rainfall totals from Hilary have reached 13.5 inches in San Bernardino County, California, and 11.7 inches in the mountains of Riverside County, California.

Los Angeles County recorded over 7 inches of rain while Palm Springs saw more than 3 inches, which broke the desert city's all-time daily summer rain record.

PHOTO: Cars are seen submerged in floodwaters on the Golden State Freeway as tropical storm Hilary moves through the area on Aug. 20, 2023, in Sun Valley, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
PHOTO: Cars are seen submerged in floodwaters on the Golden State Freeway as tropical storm Hilary moves through the area on Aug. 20, 2023, in Sun Valley, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
PHOTO: Workers attempt to unclog a drain on a flooded street as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Aug. 20, 2023, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
PHOTO: Workers attempt to unclog a drain on a flooded street as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Aug. 20, 2023, in Rancho Mirage, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Bristlecone, Nevada, northwest of Las Vegas, recorded 8.4 inches of rain, including 6 inches in just 24 hours, breaking the rainfall record for a tropical cyclone or remnant in the state.

Hilary also brought fierce winds. In California, gusts reached a whopping 87 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains and 84 mph at Big Black Mountain.

-ABC News' Max Golembo


Aug 21, 7:58 AM

Flash flood warnings continue amid record rain

Flash flood warnings remained in effect on Monday in Los Angeles, Death Valley and some areas of southwest Nevada, after heavy rain fell overnight throughout the region.

Hilary weakened overnight into a post-tropical cyclone and was expected to dissipate in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

PHOTO: A graphic from ABC News show flash flood warnings in effect in parts of Southern California and Nevada on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (ABC News)
PHOTO: A graphic from ABC News show flash flood warnings in effect in parts of Southern California and Nevada on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (ABC News)

Copious amounts of rain fell overnight, including the 10.5 inches that soaked Raywood Flat, California, a rocky area within the San Bernardino National Forest.

PHOTO: Vehicles cross over a flood control basin that has almost reached the street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
PHOTO: Vehicles cross over a flood control basin that has almost reached the street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

About 6.15 inches fell in Los Angeles. Palmdale, a city north of the Los Angeles, had its highest all-time daily rainfall with 3.57 inches.

Palm Springs got 2.82 inches, marking the city’s highest daily rainfall for summer and for August.

PHOTO: A motorist walks out to remove belongings from his vehicle after becoming stuck in a flooded street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
PHOTO: A motorist walks out to remove belongings from his vehicle after becoming stuck in a flooded street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

San Diego had 1.81 inches, its highest-ever daily August rainfall.

And Bristlecone, Nevada, near Las Vegas, picked up more than 6 inches, mostly within 24 hours. That rainfall broke the record for a tropical cyclone or remnant traveling through Nevada. It approached the 24-hour rain record for the state of 7.78 inches, which was set in 2004.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo


Aug 21, 3:29 AM

Thousands without power as storm downs trees

Thousands of customers in Southern California were without power at about midnight, with the highest number of outages in San Bernardino County.

PHOTO: A woman walks through standing water as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023. (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)
PHOTO: A woman walks through standing water as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023. (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)

About 14,000 customers were without power in that inland county, along with 7,600 in Riverside County to the south, according to PowerOutage.us, a site that tracks electric providers.

About 7,900 customers in Los Angeles County had experienced power outages as of about 6 p.m. on Sunday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said.

PHOTO: A power line pole is replaced on the East Side of Long Beach, California, August 20, 2023 as Tropical Storm Hilary arrives. (Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters)
PHOTO: A power line pole is replaced on the East Side of Long Beach, California, August 20, 2023 as Tropical Storm Hilary arrives. (Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters)

"The City of Los Angeles is responding to reports of flooding, downed trees, and wires as well as other calls for service," the city's emergency officials said in an update. "Zero deaths have been reported in connection with the storm or earthquake thus far. At least 150 tree-related issues and eight mudflows have been reported."

By midnight, about 3,700 customers in Los Angeles were still without power, according to PowerOutages.us.


Aug 21, 2:28 AM

Interstate through Cathedral City closes amid flooding

Traffic headed in both directions on Interstate 10 was brought to standstill as roads flooded in Cathedral City on Sunday, officials said.

PHOTO: Interstate 10 is shut down in both directions due to flooding on the roadway as tropical storm Hilary makes landfall in Cathedral City, California on August, 20, 2023. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
PHOTO: Interstate 10 is shut down in both directions due to flooding on the roadway as tropical storm Hilary makes landfall in Cathedral City, California on August, 20, 2023. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

“I-10 in Cathedral City from Gene Autry to Bob Hope Dr. is closed due to flooding and debris on the highway. Unknown duration of clear,” the California Department of Transportation’s District 8 said on social media.

Cathedral City is Palm Springs’ neighbor in the Coachella Valley.

PHOTO: A fire engine responds to a call through standing water on Indian Canyon Drive as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023. (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)
PHOTO: A fire engine responds to a call through standing water on Indian Canyon Drive as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023. (Bryan Woolston/Reuters)

Emergency 911 service was knocked out by the storm late Sunday in both cities, police in Cathedral City and in Palm Springs said.


Aug 21, 1:14 AM

Hilary winds slow down, but flash flood warnings remain

As of 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, Hilary remains a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds now down to 45 mph. The center of Hilary is located about 105 miles northwest of San Diego. It is moving at 28 mph.

PHOTO: A plow clears debris along a flooded Sierra Highway in Palmdale, Calif., as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Richard Vogel/AP)
PHOTO: A plow clears debris along a flooded Sierra Highway in Palmdale, Calif., as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Richard Vogel/AP)

Widespread flash flood warnings remain in effect across Southern California as areas of heavy rain continue to sweep through the region. The flash flood warnings in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties have been extended until 3 a.m. PT Monday. Flash flooding is ongoing across the region. There are also warnings in many desert areas, including Death Valley.

The widespread heavy rain in Southern California will begin to ease up soon, first in the southeastern part of the state. After 10 p.m. PT Sunday, there is a notable improvement regionwide, with the worst of the heavy rain over and the rain becoming less intense. There is lingering rain overnight in some areas but not as heavy as earlier.

PHOTO: A pedestrian shields himself from strong winds and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/AP)
PHOTO: A pedestrian shields himself from strong winds and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Even though the rain ends, there could still be residual impacts, like landslides or rockslides.

- ABC News Meteorologist Daniel Peck

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