Powerful storm brings hail, flash flooding to Inland Empire
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. - Torrential rain pounded parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, prompting forecasters to warn of flash flooding and potentially damaging hail.
FOX 11 viewer Chris Re recorded footage of hail and reported parts of Big Bear Lake experienced a power outage Saturday after a lightning strike hit the area.
Highway 38 was closed overnight in Big Bear and was reopened by Saturday morning, Caltrans said.
RELATED: Highway 38 near Big Bear reopens after temporary closure amid mudflow, rockfall
On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning that was in effect through 6:45 p.m., noting that the storm system had dropped between 2 and 4 inches of rain in some areas.
"Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," forecasters warned shortly before 4 p.m.
According to the NWS, flooding was possible in areas including southeastern Palm Springs, Temecula, Anza, Idyllwild, Mountain Center, Lake Hemet and the Cahuilla Indian Reservation.
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Highway 243 between Banning and Idyllwild was considered at risk of flooding, along with Highway 74 between Mountain Center and Anza, between Anza and Palm Desert, and from Hemet to Mountain Center.
"In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain," according to the NWS. "Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route."
The NWS also issued a severe thunderstorm warning in response to heavy rain falling between Mountain Center and Anza. The Mountain Center area received roughly 1.5 inches of rain in about an hour, according to the weather service. Forecasters said the storm system included winds up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail.
"Hail damage to vehicles is expected," according to the NWS.
Forecasters warned on social media that a storm cell south of Idyllwild was "producing torrential rainfall, frequent lightning and hail."
FOX 11's digital team contributed to this report.