http://www.nbc4.tv/weather/2631417/detail.html
Flooded Streets, Power Outages Wreak Havoc In Southland
Thunder, Lightning, Hail Slam Four Counties
POSTED: 7:50 a.m. PST November 12, 2003
UPDATED: 6:29 p.m. PST November 12, 2003
LOS ANGELES -- Thunder roared, lightning ripped through the skies and hail slammed into four counties Wednesday as an intense storm flooded streets and freeways, darkened neighborhoods and interrupted air travel.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the southern and eastern areas Los Angeles at 3:36 p.m., it was effective until 7:30 p.m.
"It's bad out there right now," California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Ramirez said. "Traffic is very slow because it's wet and we've had a bunch of fender benders."
Los Angeles International Airport controllers rated Wednesday's storm Level Six, the highest level. According to authorities, as of 5:00 p.m. all incoming flights to LAX have been halted nationwide. Flights already enroute to LAX were diverted to the Ontario, San Diego, and John Wayne -Orange County airports due to low visibility.
As of 5:30 p.m., about 3,000 homes in Compton, 10 miles south of Los Angeles, and nearby South Gate had been without power for an hour, Southern California Edison Co. spokesman Steve Conroy said. Lightning was seen in the area.
Captain Mark Savage of the Los Angeles County Fire Department told NBC4 that he advises Southland residents to stay indoors, if possible. For people at home or in an area where lightning is occurring, Savage encouraged them to find flashlights as a precaution to possible power outages.
As of 5:30 p.m., NBC4's Mike Case reported that a large section of the town of Willowbrook had lost power, rendering massive traffic jams around the Harbor (110) Freeway. Case also reported the region without power appeared to extend for 10 square miles.
As the storm moved through the region, outage calls shifted to the San Gabriel Valley, Orange County and the San Bernardino and Riverside areas, Conroy said. The areas of Norco and Lynwood were also without power as of 5:50 p.m.
NBC4's helicopter showed large blackened areas where power had been zapped by lightning strikes.
Offramps on Interstates 105, 710 and 110 in the southern part of the county flooded, bringing traffic to a halt and leaving some motorists in water up to their headlights.
Rescue crews helped drivers out of their vehicles in high water areas, Ramirez said.
Helicopter shots showed water up to the headlights of some cars and trucks.
Rain in the most severely hit areas was coming down at 3 inches an hour, the weather service said.
"We've got quite a number of flooding type calls into homes and intersections," Los Angeles County fire Inspector Roland Sprewell said. "A number of motorists are stranded and our fire personnel are helping them out."
Savage warned drivers to not cross any moving bodies of water.
"I would highly suggest that people not travel unless they have to," Savage said.
In the foothills east of Los Angeles, officials were bracing for the possibility of flooding and mudslides from land recently denuded by devastating wildfires.
Sprewell said residents can receive up to 25 sand bags at their local fire stations, with more possible if the homeowner receives approval from the department of public works.
There were no reports of any major incidents in the foothill areas since the slow-moving storm was lingering in the Los Angeles area, said Greg Cleveland, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Lightning bolts posed little threat of starting another wildfire since the storm was laden with moisture, he added.
The weather brought some good news to residents of Big Bear, Calif., where three inches of snow fell Wednesday.
NBC4's Colan Nolan reported that state Highway 38 was temporarily closed Wednesday until automobiles could get chains on their tires.
The Big Bear Mountain ski resort will be open for business Thursday.
There is rain as close as Oxnard at the present time. Within the rain band ( 
Johnathan) there is some moderate rain echoes. Rain totals are projected to be on the light side; but when you look at this:
