The back end of Tropical Storm Kay made its way to Southern California bringing both fears of flooding and relief from wildfires.

After more than a week of daily 100-degree weather, temperatures are gradually decreasing, but parts of San Diego, L.A. County, Riverside County and even Arizona, are bracing themselves for the remnants of the hurricane that ravaged Mexico on Thursday.

“Immediately after one the most significant and impactful heatwaves in California modern history… AccuWeather meteorologists are increasingly concerned about the risk for heavy rainfall and associated flooding across parts of Southern California as tropical moisture from Kay streams northward – especially the mountains and deserts of San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties of California,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in press alert Wednesday. “Although the rainfall will pose a risk for flash flooding, it is expected to be helpful toward firefighting efforts.”

The positive effects of the rainfall are already being felt near Big Bear, where the Radford Fire reached up to 1,088 acres, but is now 59 percent contained due to the rainstorm.

“Rain showers aided firefighting resources who worked hard increasing containment lines, securing completed lines, and mopping up the area,” Big Bear Fire officials said in an update. “Air resources have reached their target of placing Phos-Chek around the entire fire perimeter. Phos-Chek is a biodegradable chemical used to slow down the forward movement of wildfire.”

The Fairview Fire in Riverside County had grown up to 27,319 acres since September 5, with 5% containment Thursday, but crews were able to make progress Friday, containing up to 40% of the fire, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Friday is expected to be the last day of “excessive heat” in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service, but the storm is expected to bring flash flooding, coastal flooding, lightning and airport delays through the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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