"Long Beach Flooded: Severe Rainstorm Paralyzes City's Streets and Highways"

Heavy rain hits Long Beach, causing flooded streets, submerged vehicles, and traffic snarls, with a flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service. The storm is the first of two expected to hit Southern California, with significant rainfall and more dramatic downpours anticipated. Forecasters predict rain rates of about a half-inch per hour, with coastal and valley areas expected to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain and foothills and mountains potentially seeing 3 to 5 inches. After the main storm passes, scattered showers are likely to continue, with the largest storm of the season forecasted to hit the area as early as Sunday.