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

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

ByNadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, Jolie Lash, Kevin Shalvey, and Emily Shapiro
Last Updated: August 21, 2023, 2:46 PM 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.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Aug 21, 2023, 2:46 PM EDT

Hilary's record-breaking stats

Hilary, the first tropical storm to move into Southern California since 1997, marked the first time ever that tropical storm watches were issued in the region.

PHOTO: Interstate 10 is devoid of traffice due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Aug. 21, 2023.
Interstate 10 is devoid of traffice due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Aug. 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.
David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images

Sunday set a new record for the wettest August day ever in Palm Springs, San Diego and downtown Los Angeles.

Hilary's highest rain total was in Upper Mission Creek in San Bernardino County, where 13 inches of rainfall was recorded.

Ronald Mendiola returns his home through a flooded street after Tropical Storm Hilary passed Cathedral City, California, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston?
Bryan Woolston/Reuters

-ABC News' Melissa Griffin

Aug 21, 2023, 2:11 PM EDT

Rescue teams work to evacuate hundreds of people

In Forest Falls, California, about 700 people are sheltering in place after mud and debris flow cut a road off from the rest of the community, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. No injuries were reported and crews are working to restore road access, the fire department said.

In nearby Seven Oaks, another 30 people are sheltering in place after flash floods struck several cabins in the area, the fire department said. Crews are working to access the residents and evacuate them, the department said.

Aug 21, 2023, 11:43 AM EDT

Tropical storm warnings canceled across Southern California

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, according to Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service Los Angeles.

Residual mudslides and rockslides are still a threat in California from the weekend rain.

The moisture from Hilary is now moving through the Rockies. On Monday, the flooding threat will be from the Sierra Nevada mountains into the northern Rockies in Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Aug 21, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT

LA schools expected to reopen on Tuesday

Los Angeles "avoided a potentially catastrophic set of conditions" from Hilary, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said Monday.

PHOTO: A worker walks past a fallen tree blocking Pico Boulevard, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles.
A worker walks past a fallen tree blocking Pico Boulevard, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles, as Tropical Storm Hilary swirled northward.
Ryan Sun/AP

Carvalho defended the decision to close LA's public schools on Monday citing reasons including that many students walk to school and many employees live outside of LA.

"It would have been reckless for us to make a different decision" on Sunday, he said.

PHOTO: The Los Angeles River swells with rushing water near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Aug. 20, 2023.
The Los Angeles River swells with rushing water near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Aug. 20, 2023. Heavy rains lashed California as Tropical Storm Hilary raced in from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

Schools appear to be in good condition, he said, noting that about 24 schools don't have phone or internet access and one elementary school that serves students with disabilities appears to have been impacted by a mudslide.

Carvalho said students should expect to resume their regular school day on Tuesday.

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