Flood Watch Issued For Inland Empire Mountains

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — As monsoonal moisture remains over the Inland Empire, the chance of afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch Monday through 7 p.m.

The areas under a flood watch are in the Riverside, San Bernardino County and San Diego mountain areas, including Crestline, Big Bear Lake, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Big Bear City, Wrightwood, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Julian and Pine Valley.

Desert areas are expected to get rainfall Monday but the region was not under a flood watch.

The NWS is advising mountain residents to monitor weather forecasts.

"Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop," the NWS reported. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."

In areas with burn scars, "it takes substantially less rainfall to cause flash flooding," the agency reported.