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California mudslides kill one and strand over 3,000 as storms continue

"Try to imagine the bands of rains from a hurricane -- that's what we're getting," rescuers describe.

By Matt Bradwell

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Aug. 4 (UPI) -- One person is dead and over 3,000 stranded after weekend thunderstorms caused mudslides and flash floods across Southern California.

San Bernardino fire and rescue officials recovered the remains of one man, who is believed to have died when his car was overturned and swept into a flooded creek in Mount Baldy.

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Flash floods left 500 children and adults trapped at a religious camp in Forrest Falls, where even the town's fire station was forced to evacuate. The 2,000 remaining residents of Forrest Falls have been asked to remain in their homes as severe weather is expected to continue Monday.

In nearby Glen Oak, another 1,500 people were trapped by flood waters; however, authorities say they have not received reports of any deaths in that area.

"Try to imagine the bands of rains from a hurricane -- that's what we're getting," San Bernardino Fire Capt. Kyle Hauducoeur told CNN.

"The difference [is] it's hitting mountains. What was a dry riverbed could become a river 6 feet deep, 20 feet wide."

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