Deadly Thunderstorms Trigger Slides, Floods

Thunderstorms caused mudslides and flash floods Saturday in parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, leading to several traffic accidents, at least one of which was fatal.

In Beaumont, a firefighter was killed and two others were injured after their truck slid off the road during a heavy afternoon rain, according to a California Highway Patrol dispatcher in Indio. The names of the victims were not released.

In Perris, a flash flood snarled traffic, and several cars got stuck in mud. In Yucaipa, gusts of up to 65 mph knocked down power poles and tree branches. The heavy rains also triggered a mudslide in Cabazon, just east of the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.

Power outages were reported throughout the area.

The heat mixed with a flow of humid air, leading to storms and flooding, said David Gomberg of the National Weather Service. “We get into this monsoon pattern” in the deserts and mountains during the summer, he said. “This is fairly typical.”

Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Zamora said the winds whipped up sand throughout the desert. “It’s summer,” he said. “It’s humid, it’s very hot, and it’s windy.”

Downpours in mountain and desert areas are likely through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Highs near or above 100 degrees are expected again today in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.