Hilary updates: Over 1 foot of rain hits San Bernardino as LA avoids catastrophe

Hilary soaked Southern California, flooding roads and knocking out power.

Last Updated: August 21, 2023, 3:29 AM EDT

All tropical storm warnings have been canceled across Southern California as the remnants of Hilary, which no longer meet the threshold of a tropical cyclone, track north.

Once a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary tore through Southern California with historic rainfall on Sunday, flooding roads and knocking out power.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Aug 21, 2023, 3:27 AM EDT

Thousands without power as storm downs trees

Thousands of customers in Southern California were without power at about midnight, with the highest number of outages in San Bernardino County.

A woman walks through standing water as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters

About 14,000 customers were without power in that inland county, along with 7,600 in Riverside County to the south, according to PowerOutage.us, a site that tracks electric providers.

About 7,900 customers in Los Angeles County had experienced power outages as of about 6 p.m. on Sunday, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said.

A power line pole is replaced on the East Side of Long Beach, California, August 20, 2023 as Tropical Storm Hilary arrives.
Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters

"The City of Los Angeles is responding to reports of flooding, downed trees, and wires as well as other calls for service," the city's emergency officials said in an update. "Zero deaths have been reported in connection with the storm or earthquake thus far. At least 150 tree-related issues and eight mudflows have been reported."

By midnight, about 3,700 customers in Los Angeles were still without power, according to PowerOutages.us.

Aug 21, 2023, 2:28 AM EDT

Interstate through Cathedral City closes amid flooding

Traffic headed in both directions on Interstate 10 was brought to standstill as roads flooded in Cathedral City on Sunday, officials said.

Interstate 10 is shut down in both directions due to flooding on the roadway as tropical storm Hilary makes landfall in Cathedral City, California on August, 20, 2023.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

“I-10 in Cathedral City from Gene Autry to Bob Hope Dr. is closed due to flooding and debris on the highway. Unknown duration of clear,” the California Department of Transportation’s District 8 said on social media.

Cathedral City is Palm Springs’ neighbor in the Coachella Valley.

A fire engine responds to a call through standing water on Indian Canyon Drive as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches Palm Springs, California, U.S., August 20, 2023.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters

Emergency 911 service was knocked out by the storm late Sunday in both cities, police in Cathedral City and in Palm Springs said.

Aug 20, 2023, 11:34 PM EDT

Hilary winds slow down, but flash flood warnings remain

As of 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT, Hilary remains a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds now down to 45 mph. The center of Hilary is located about 105 miles northwest of San Diego. It is moving at 28 mph.

A plow clears debris along a flooded Sierra Highway in Palmdale, Calif., as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.
Richard Vogel/AP

Widespread flash flood warnings remain in effect across Southern California as areas of heavy rain continue to sweep through the region. The flash flood warnings in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties have been extended until 3 a.m. PT Monday. Flash flooding is ongoing across the region. There are also warnings in many desert areas, including Death Valley.

The widespread heavy rain in Southern California will begin to ease up soon, first in the southeastern part of the state. After 10 p.m. PT Sunday, there is a notable improvement regionwide, with the worst of the heavy rain over and the rain becoming less intense. There is lingering rain overnight in some areas but not as heavy as earlier.

A pedestrian shields himself from strong winds and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles.
Chris Pizzello/AP

Even though the rain ends, there could still be residual impacts, like landslides or rockslides.

- ABC News Meteorologist Daniel Peck

Aug 20, 2023, 8:24 PM EDT

Hilary moves into Southern California

Hilary is continuing as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds now down to 50 mph as of 5 p.m. PT Sunday. The center of Hilary has now officially moved into Southern California and is located about 25 miles south, southwest of Palm Springs. It is currently moving north at 23 mph.

- ABC News Meteorologist Daniel Peck

People walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the tropical storm Hilary, in Los Angeles, Aug. 20, 2023.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Volunteers and members of the Long Beach Fire Department fill sandbags at Belmont Shore Beach, Aug. 20, 2023 in Long Beach, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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