Fueled by low pressure off the coast, a storm was expected to hit regions of Southern California with plenty of rain and inclement weather on Sunday.
Rain was expected to hit heaviest in locations throughout the Inland Empire, and it could amount up to over an inch of precipitation on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Starting Sunday morning with a little bit of rain and picking up into the afternoon and night, NBC4 Meteorologist Anthony Yanez said the region will have to brace for possible thunderstorms, lightning strikes and potential flooding.
In Orange County, high surf warnings were issued on Saturday, alerting residents of strong rip currents that will make swimming conditions dangerous all weekend and into Monday, especially north of Newport. Off the shores of Catalina, the high surf was expected to reach more than 15 feet.
Experts were also expecting up to a foot or two of snow at the highest levels of the San Bernardino Mountains, while winds of up to 75 miles per hour are expected in the mountain and desert regions.
The wind compounded with the rain was expected to drop temperatures below 40 degrees in places like Riverside, according to the NWS.
LA County responded by issuing a cold weather alert alongside the flash flood warnings. Anthony Yanez said the high winds could force ice on some roads and make conditions dangerous, particularly in the Grapevine.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department also took precautionary measures ahead of the incoming weather, offering sand bags to residents living near areas prone to debris flow and mudslides. Starting at 9 a.m., sand bags will be available at Jesse Owens Regional Community Park and at 10 a.m., sand bags will be available at all the following locations:
- Fire Station 58 — 5757 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles
- Fire Station 89 — 29575 Canwood St., Agoura Hills
- Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center — 801 E. Carson Street, Carson
- Santa Clarita Sports Complex — 20870 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita
- Alondra Regional Park — 3850 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Lawndale
