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Homes Damaged As Flash Floods Hit Inland Empire

MORENO VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Severe thunderstorms, rolling through the Inland Empire, have caused a torrential downpour, leading to flash floods following another wild weather day in Southern California.

A flash flood warning was issued in the San Bernardino area on Sunday, and was extended through 6:30 p.m.

Flash floods have also hit areas of Riverside County, which is also under a warning as gusty thunderstorms knocked down trees and power lines.

Areas of northern Los Angeles County, including high desert areas such as Lancaster, were expecting to receive rain Sunday night from the same systems that hit the Inland Empire earlier in the day.

Flooded streets and property damage were reported in Moreno Valley as the result of flash floods. A public-assist became necessary around 4 p.m. Water had come rushing down the hills and poured into backyards.

"I've had a little bit of snow, I've had hail, I've had some heavy rains, but not like that," Moreno Valley resident Julie Carter said. "I couldn't even see across the street at one point when I looked outside my window."

Firefighters were on hand trying to clean up the mess.

Near Norco, a stretch of the 91 freeway, between Adams and Van Buren, was flooded, with City Fire estimating both lanes under three-to-four feet of water.

In Corona, reports of swift-water rescues were made throughout much of the day, according to fire officials.

Reports indicated rescue crews were looking for five people in an area of Corona near Rincon and Lincoln, where tents and encampments are. Water went through the area quickly.

Flash flood warnings were issued to the La Crescenta and Altadena areas around 6 p.m. on Sunday, and were to last through 9:00 p.m.

Travel was impacted in Silverado Canyon as roads were closed and vehicles became stuck.

"We have a flash flood warning that will be in effect until about 11:45, so we still crews out there, there's firefighters out there as well as a lot of heavy equipment operators that are trying to get that mud up," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

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