Fatalities, Rescues, More Rain And Snow Coming In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Rain, wind, snow, flooding and muddy conditions will continue most of the week in Riverside County, the National Weather Service reported Tuesday afternoon.

The slick streets, saturated soil and swollen waterways are expected to lead to more rescues and vehicle crashes in the coming days, adding to Tuesday afternoon's tally.

Here's the latest:

Rescues, Fatalities

Two people were killed and three injured in a three-vehicle wreck in Moreno Valley during which one victim was hurled into a storm channel, where he floated downstream into neighboring Perris before his body was recovered, authorities said Tuesday.

Isaac Piza, 25, of San Bernardino and Keiana Bridgeforth, 50, of Menifee were fatally injured in the crash at 10:30 p.m. Monday that was reported at the intersection of Cactus Avenue and Kitching Street in Moreno Valley, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. Marcos Acosta said two Dodge Ram pickups and a Lexus sedan impacted at the intersection during the rain. Bridgeforth was at the wheel of the Lexus and was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later by paramedics.

Acosta said that one of the pickups, carrying Piza and a friend, whose identity was not disclosed, careened into the flood channel adjacent to Cactus. Piza was ejected from the Dodge, while his passenger remained inside the vehicle.

The sergeant said good Samaritans went to the passenger's aid, safely extricating the victim, who suffered unspecified non-life-threatening injuries.

Piza floated southbound in the channel until firefighters recovered his remains near the intersection of Evans Road and the Ramona Expressway in Perris. It was unclear whether he was killed by the collision impact, or drowned.

Riverside County Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barton told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that adverse weather had not overwhelmed first responders, but he pointed to "unfortunate" instances where people didn't pay heed to warnings in advance and got themselves into predicaments.

"We had a lot of swift water rescues yesterday," Barton said, referring to the nearly 20 homeless residents and their dogs extricated Monday from sand bars and other isolated places within the Santa Ana River bottom in Riverside and Jurupa Valley. The area is rife with encampments.

"Some people didn't listen," Barton said. "We had flooding in the usual low-lying areas."

He said some motorists ended up stuck on flooded roads that were closed by county crews, with signs that the drivers chose to ignore. On Tuesday afternoon, a new closure was implemented on Joseph Road, between Finbrook and Nicolas roads, in French Valley. The corridor crosses Santa Gertridus Creek, which apparently overflowed during heavy rains.

Supervisor Kevin Jeffries was irked, calling the rescues "unfortunate occurrences" brought on by "stupid people going around barricades and putting themselves and first responders in danger."

Three boys got caught in fast-moving water within a Moreno Valley storm channel Tuesday, leading to a rescue operation that resulted in the quick recovery of two and the delayed recovery of their companion.

The water emergency was reported at 4:25 p.m. in the area of Cottonwood Avenue and Dilbeck Drive, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Witnesses called 911 saying three youths were unable to get out of the canal, though it was unclear how they got in there or why.

Storm cells had just moved through the location.

Sheriff's patrol deputies were first to respond and used their own or borrowed gear to rapidly remove two boys from the canal, according to officials.

Multiple fire engine crews and a swift water rescue team deployed to the location, setting up potential recovery points along the channel between Cottonwood and Dilbeck to the north and Alessandro Boulevard and Heacock Street to the south, authorities said.

At 4:50 p.m., the third boy was pulled safely from the water by deputies who had gone in after him.

All of the youths were expected to be taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley for evaluation.

No deputies or fire personnel were injured.

Reports of a person stranded on the banks of the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley Tuesday also prompted an extensive search that didn't net results.

The water emergency was reported just before 3 p.m. in the area of Marlatt Street and Limonite Avenue, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine crews were sent to the location, and firefighters deployed on foot in an attempt to find the individual reported to be in distress.

They were soon joined by sheriff's deputies.

However, after 45 minutes of scouring the location, public safety personnel found no one in need of assistance, according to reports from the scene. As of 3:45 p.m. firefighters and deputies were departing the area, and the search was officially called off.

Barton acknowledged there was "potentially heavy rain" still anticipated for Tuesday afternoon and night, with foul weather continuing through most of the week.

"Our teams are out doing what they can to keep the public safe and out of harm's way," he said.

Rain, More Rain, And Snow

According to the National Weather Service, a series of weak low-pressure troughs will move across Riverside County through Friday, keeping the region wet and/or snowy.

"Widespread precipitation ... will become more showery and continue at times through Friday and possibly into Saturday," the National Weather Service said in a statement. "There is also a slight chance of thunderstorms for Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. The snow level will ... fall to around 4,000 feet for late Tuesday night."

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Riverside County and San Bernardino mountains until 8 a.m. Thursday. The NWS advised heavy snow above 6,000 feet, with the heaviest accumulations — up to two feet — above 7,000 feet.

According to NWS precipitation counts, from Sunday morning to Tuesday morning, the Idyllwild-Pine Cove community had received three inches of new snow. An additional five to 10 inches was forecast going into Thursday morning.

Elsewhere in Riverside County, the north end of Lake Elsinore documented the highest amount of rainfall in the western county region from Sunday to Tuesday at four inches. Riverside Municipal Airport recorded just over three inches, and in Murrieta, the latest total was just under two-and-a-half inches.

By comparison, the Coachella Valley's precipitation totals were on the thin side, with Palm Springs International Airport at roughly a half-inch and Thermal Airport at less than a quarter inch.

"Folks in the Coachella Valley have gotten a welcome break," Barton told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. "This storm has really hit us on the west side of the county."

A flood watch remains in effect across western Riverside County through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

State Of Emergency/Price Gouging

Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties, including Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The proclamation amid the storms includes provisions authorizing a California National Guard response if tasked, facilitating unemployment benefits for impacted residents, and making it easier for out-of-state contractors and utilities to repair storm damage.

The other counties included were Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

On Tuesday, state Attorney General Rob Bonta urged Californians to report any price gouging in their communities amid the state of emergency.

"Our State's price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food, and other essential supplies," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a released statement. "If you see price gouging — or if you've been the victim of it — I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov/report or contact your local police department or sheriff's office."

—City News Service and Patch Editor Toni McAllister contributed to this report.