Flash floods impacted parts of San Bernardino County, including Big Bear, as rain poured down Thursday, Sept. 18, with mudslides reported in some areas, possibly damaging homes, officials said
Intense rain and thunderstorms began around 2:30 p.m. in Big Bear, and some areas measured more than an inch of rain in just a few hours, with some areas seeing 1.42 inches, said meteorologist Philip Gonsalves with the National Weather Service in San Diego. Rain gauges in Mill Creek measured more than an inch of rain in an hour, “a very intense rainfall rate,” he said.
A National Weather Service flash flood warning was in effect for San Bernardino County until 8 p.m. The weather service has received information about potential mud and rock slides as a result of the intense storms, but road crews haven’t yet confirmed those reports, Gonsalves said.
Debris flow in the Oak Glen and Thurman Flats area stranded some community members, said Mara Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. No injuries have been reported, but fire crews and sheriff’s deputies rescued the impacted community members.
Fire officials in San Bernardino County reported on X late Thursday: “San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, in unified command with CAL FIRE, continues to respond to the September Incident affecting the communities of Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Potato Canyon. Crews remain active in the area as mud and debris flows have left several roads impassable and impacted multiple homes. Valley of the Falls Drive is currently blocked at Highway 38, with additional road blockages between Highway 38 and the top of Forest Falls.
The social media post went on to say that San Bernardino County Fire’s Damage Assessment Team “will be in the field at first light tomorrow to evaluate structures and determine the extent of property loss. At this time, there are no reports of injuries or missing persons connected to the incident.”
Meteorologists expect rain to taper off overnight. Drivers in impacted should stay off the roads and stay aware of weather and potential road closures if they need to go out, Gonsalves said.