Southern California lashed by tropical storm after record-breaking heatwave

Fire crews make progress on massive Fairview fire, as storm set to bring cooler temperatures but possible flooding

Southern Californians welcomed cooler temperatures and spotty rain Saturday from a tropical storm veering off the Pacific coast days after a relentless heat wave nearly overwhelmed the state's electrical grid.

Officials braced for flooding in coastal and mountain areas from the storm and feared powerful winds could expand the massive Fairview Fire about 75 miles (121 km) south-east of Los Angeles.