Upcoming Heavy Wind and Rains May Lead to Possible Flooding

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a High Wind Warning and a Flash Flood Watch for Sunday into Monday. The NWS said that the High Wind Warning and Flash Flood Watch will be in effect from noon on Sunday through 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

The High Wind Warning is expected to bring in strong; possibly damaging winds, with the strongest winds from Sunday afternoon through the night. Residents of Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Lucerne Valley should experience southwest winds from 25-35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The direction of the winds will change from southwest to west on Monday. The San Bernardino County Mountain slopes may see damaging wind gusts to 85 mph late Sunday afternoon to night NWS officials said.

Driving will be dangerous, especially for high-profile vehicles. Motorist should also watch out for debris or downed power lines. If you see a downed or dangling power line do not touch it, drive over it, or make contact with it; even with an object you are holding. You should always assume the power line is energized and report it by calling 911. If your vehicle comes in contact with a downed power line, stay inside your vehicle as the ground surrounding your vehicle may be energized. You should use your mobile phone to call 911 and wait for an emergency responder to tell you it is safe to exit your vehicle. The NWS describes a High Wind Warning as a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

In addition to the high winds, the valleys, mountains, and deserts will experience heavy rainfall and the threat of flash flooding. This is expected from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. The flash flood warning covers much of the Riverside County, Inland Empire, and Mountain areas. The desert areas include Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Lucerne Valley. Inland Empire and Riverside County areas include San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Corona. Mountain areas include Wrightwood, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, Idyllwild, and Pine Cove. Also included in the warning is much of the Orange County Inland and Coastal areas.

The rainfall should bring in at least one inch of rain per hour during some portions of the day, making drought and fire-affected areas susceptible to debris flow, flooding, and/or mudslides. “A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, “NWS officials said. “Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

Daytime highs in the Victor Valley area will be in the high-40’s and overnight lows will be nearly, at, or below freezing. If you have a pet, it is important to bring them indoors during inclement weather. The Human Society of the United States said that cold weather can be deadly for pets, just as it is for humans.  “We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food and shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death,” Humane Society of the US said.  “Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges.”

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