Southern California received a much-needed rainstorm Friday as the state faces serious drought concerns. The Los Angeles Times reported the heavy rains, which would continue into the rest of the weekend, have caused a flash flood watch through most of the region.

The National Weather Service issued the flash flood warning, which is expected to last until 8 p.m. Saturday. California officials ordered the evacuation of roughly 1,200 homes in Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley foothill communities Glendora, Azusa and east Pasadena because of unstable landslides and mudflows.

However, rescue and fire crews were frustrated because an estimated three-quarters of the homeowners ordered to evacuate decided to remain at their homes, risking the possibility of being flooded with mud and debris.

L.A. County Fire Department Spokesperson Steve Martin told the newspaper, "understand this: if there is mud coming down, fire personnel cannot get to you. There's a reason for these evacutaitons."

Glendora Police Chief Tim Staab said in a Saturday morning press conference, "(Experts) also tell us that the hillsides are so saturated that we really don't know at this point what event can cause the hills to suddenly break loose. And once that momentum starts, you just have to get out of the way."

Additionally, the NWS issued a tornado warning in the Los Angeles County's Walnut and Azusa cities early Saturday morning. Some beach cities are on high alert as officials also warned there could be coastal flooding and 12-foot waves, while snow levels in the mountains dropped to 5,500 feet.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported that along with thunderstorms, hail could also come down as it already did Saturday morning in the city of Walnut.

According to the L.A. Times, the inland portions of San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties could experience powerful, 65 mph wind gusts. The storm, projected to bring up to 3 inches of coastal rainfall, is being tracked off the coast and will continue to move inland throughout the weekend.

Power companies sent out additional crews to repair numerous areas of reported power outages that were caused by the heavy winds and rain. And, according to Southern California Edison, 10,087 customers have been without power as of 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The California Highway Patrol said the storm has caused minor highway accidents in the southland to double compared to the week prior.