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, 2:14 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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
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
Aug 20, 2023, 7:40 PM EDT

Los Angeles Unified School District announces school closures for Monday

Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest school district in the country, will be closed on Monday as Tropical Storm Hilary makes its way to the area, the district's superintendent said at a press conference on Sunday.

LAUSD serves 565,479 students. Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho expects schools to be open on Tuesday.

The San Diego Unified School District also announced school closures for Monday.

A worker drags caution tape to block off Pico Boulevard after a tree fell, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles.
Ryan Sun/AP
Aug 20, 2023, 6:04 PM EDT

5.1 Earthquake rocks Southern California as heavy rains continue to fall

As the Southland battles heavy rain and continues preparations for the heart of the storm to make its way up through California, there was a 5.1 earthquake, per the U.S. Geological Society. The earthquake was centered near Ojai, and was followed by several smaller aftershocks.

Heavy equipment moves sand to create barriers at Belmont Shore Beach as tropical storm Hilary approaches, Aug. 20, 2023 in Long Beach, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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