1:22 a.m. ET, August 21, 2023
Shelter in place order issued for some residents in San Bernardino County
From CNN’s Joe Sutton and Mike Valerio
A man loads sandbags onto a truck in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Hilary in San Bernardino, California on August 19.
Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register/AP
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has issued a shelter in place order for some residents in the county because of mud and debris blocking a roadway.
“Due to current rain, there is mud and debris blocking the roadway. A SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER is now in effect for the community of Forest Falls, and residents on Oak Glen Road, from Casa Blanca Street to Harris Road,” the sheriff’s department said on social media.
Evacuation orders: The department also noted an evacuation order was in effect for some residents.
“An evacuation order is now in affect for the residents of the Serrano Square neighborhood, south of Oak Glen Road and east of 2nd Street, in Yucaipa, CA," it said.
Earlier Sunday, a senior San Bernadino Fire Department officer urged residents to heed evacuation orders and stay off the road unless they are in danger.
“If we ask you to evacuate, we don't take that lightly,” said Mike McClintock, Battalion Chief with the San Bernardino Fire Department, in an interview with CNN. “We're asking you based on predictions and concerns, and we want you to get out sooner rather than later.”
McClintock said evacuation orders are meant to help residents escape areas that may face serious flooding, and that warnings should be heeded immediately.
“The last thing we want you to do if we have significant rain is you try to leave last minute and then be overtaken by floodwaters,” he said.