Thunderstorms hit mountain, desert areas of Southern California

Powerful thunderstorms pounded mountain and desert areas of Southern California on Monday, dropping steady amounts of rain.

The storms, sparked by moist air from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ivo, were reported from the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County to the desert areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, officials said.

At the Acton pump station in the Antelope Valley, 2.56 inches of rain was reported in a 60-minute span Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

“That’s a lot of rain,” said Scott Sukup, a meteorologist with Weather Service’s Oxnard office.

In Leona Valley, nearly half an inch of rain fell in about 30 minutes, the Weather Service said.

Flooding in Joshua Tree National Park forced officials to close Pinto Basin Road, the Park Service said Monday.

The Cottonwood Visitor Center and campground were also closed.

Officials said the closures would remain in effect for up to two weeks while crews clear mud and debris from the road and campground areas.

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