SAN DIEGO (CNS) — A chilly winter storm that arrived in the San Diego area over the weekend delivered more steady downpours Monday along with widespread flooding that swamped roadways and neighborhoods across the region.
As of 6 p.m., Monday is the wettest day in January ever recorded in San Diego, ranking the city at the fifth wettest day on record, meteorologists said. The National Weather Service reports record-breaking rainfall across San Diego County in various cities:
- San Diego - New 2.70 inches, surpassing the old record of 1.53 inches in 1967;
- Oceanside Harbor: New 2.10 inches, exceeding the previous record of 0.98 inches in 2010;
- Vista: New 1.80 inches, comparing to the old record of 1.08 inches in 1957;
- Chula Vista: New 1.56 inches, exceeding the previous record of 1.15 inches in 2010;
- Ramona: New 1.53 inches, surpassing the old record of 1.18 inches in 2017;
- El Cajon: New 2.74 inches, surpassing the old record of 2.48 inches in 1909;
- Alpine: New 2.08 inches, surpassing the old record of 0.85 inches in 1996.
In the late morning, with rainfall rates approaching a half-inch per hour, the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the western valleys and the ocean coastline of the county, effective through midday.
As of 10 a.m., according to the NWS, the top local three-day precipitation totals included 3.55 inches in the Palomar area, 3.04 in Couser Canyon, 3.03 in Fallbrook, 2.99 on Birch Hill, 2.83 in Bonsall and 2.62 at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad.
Most other locales in the county received from one to 2 1/2 inches of moisture over the period, meteorologists reported.
Over the morning on Monday, the driving rains inundated streets, freeways and back roads across the region, according to the California Highway Patrol. Between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., the CHP reported the following traffic disruptions in the San Diego area:
-- Trees and rocks in traffic lanes at Jamul Heights Drive and Steele Canyon Road, Jamul;
-- Flooding, 12100 block of Cuyamaca College Drive and at Fury Lane and Wieghorst Way, Rancho San Diego;
-- Mudslide, eastbound Barrett School Road, Barrett Junction;
-- Landslide, transition ramp from eastbound state Route 905 to northbound Interstate 805, Otay Mesa;
-- Flooding, Jamacha Boulevard and Whitestone Road, and SR-125 at Jamacha and Paradise Valley roads, Spring Valley;
-- Flooding, Kempton and Outinda streets, La Presa;
-- Flooding, SR-15 at Interstate 5, Southcrest;
-- Flooding, westbound Interstate 8 at College Avenue and Waring Road, Del Cerro;
-- Flooding, northbound I-5 at 28th and 32nd streets, Logan Heights;
-- Flooding, Carmel Valley Road and Winesprings Drive, 4S Ranch;
-- Flooding, 9000 block of Harmony Grove Road, Elfin Forest;
-- Flooding, westbound SR-94 at I-805, Mount Hope;
-- Flooding, southbound I-805 near Imperial Avenue, Mountain View;
-- Flooding, southbound I-5 near Via de la Valle, Del Mar;
-- Mudslide, offramp from northbound I-805 to Imperial Avenue, Lincoln Park;
-- Flooding, offramp from southbound SR-163 to Ash Street, East Village;
-- Flooding, Palomar Airport Road onramp to northbound I-5, Carlsbad;
-- Flooding, northbound I-805 at East Palomar Street, Chula Vista; and
-- Flooding, westbound SR-94 at College Avenue, Oak Park.
Due to potential storm-related utility problems, San Diego Gas & Electric issued a statement Monday morning urging the public to stay away from any downed or otherwise damaged power lines they might encounter. People should always assume that such compromised transmission equipment is energized, keep a safe distance from it and call 911 to report the hazard, SDG&E advised.
The showers were expected to continue through the afternoon Monday before diminishing in the late evening and petering out completely from north to south on Tuesday, according to meteorologists. Thereadfter, local temperatures should remain cool through Thursday, then warm up Friday and Sunday as high pressure aloft strengthens along the West Coast, the weather service reported.
12:10 p.m.: Thousands of people in different areas of San Diego County are without power, per San Diego Gas & Electric's Outage Map.
The cause of the outages is unknown, according to SDG&E; the utility did not immediately say if weather conditions led to the outages.
Some of the areas heavily impacted are:
- Logan Heights
- Mountain View
- Lincoln Park
- Paradise Hills
- Bay Terraces
- Skyline
- Encanto
- Emerald Hills
- Valencia Park
- Clairemont
- Bay Park
- Morena
- City Heights
- Oak Park
- Chollas Creek
- National City
- Encinitas
- Cardiff
- Olivenhain
12 p.m.: City of San Diego officials said flooding has forced the downtown Central Library to close for the day.
The flooding was reported in the library's underground parking garage, the city said.
The public is asked to visit https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/locations to find out if other city library locations are also impacted by Monday's weather conditions.
11: 30 a.m.: San Diego State University closed a road on campus due to falling rocks caused by heavy rain and flooding.
The University Police Department closed Canyon Crest Drive between Parking Lot 15 and Aztec Circle.
No injuries were reported. Police said the road was closed out of caution for public safety. People were asked to avoid the road and Alvarado Court, which was closed earlier.
The university remained open.
10:55 a.m.: The rainy conditions have led to flooding on some San Diego County roadways, forcing the closure of at least two stretches of local freeways.
In Vista/Oceanside, state Route 78 was closed in both directions between Jefferson Street and El Camino Real due to flooding
In Carlsbad, at least two northbound I-5 lanes at Palomar Airport Road were shut down because of flooding.
10:40 a.m.: The Metropolitan Transit System says downtown San Diego trolley service was shut down becaue of flooding.
In a post on X, MTS officials stated: “No Trolley service in downtown due to flooding. Southbound Blue & Green Lines terminating at County Center/Little Italy; Orange Line at 32nd & Commercial; Blue Line north at Barrio Logan. Use existing bus service where possible, expect major delays & ongoing detours.”
10:25 a.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the NWS for areas including Chula Vista, National City, La Presa, and parts of east San Diego.
The warning was set to run through 11:15 a.m.
Wind and possible hail was also expected to impact those areas.
"A low pressure system will move inland through southern California and northern Baja (Monday)," according to the NWS. "Precipitation will become more widespread and heavier this morning and continue into this afternoon with a slight chance of thunderstorms for this morning into this evening. Showers will decrease late tonight and end from north to south on Tuesday. Continued cool through Thursday, then warmer and dry for Friday through Sunday as high pressure aloft strengthens along the West Coast."
Rainfall was expected to range from around one inch near the coast to 2 inches in the mountains with around one-half inch in the deserts, according to the NWS.
Over San Diego County coastal waters Monday, gusty southerly winds were expected to develop Monday morning then shift and weaken Monday afternoon, the NWS said. Stronger northwest winds could develop Monday evening, continue into Tuesday afternoon, and generate choppy, steep and hazardous seas.
Periods of moderate to locally heavy rain was expected to decrease in the afternoon. There is a chance of thunderstorms through Monday evening, with gusty, erratic winds likely near any thunderstorms. forecasters said.
The weather service issued a small craft advisory until 1 p.m. Tuesday for coastal waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican border and out to 30 nautical miles.
At the area's beaches, there is a 10% to 20% chance of lightning through Monday evening, with highest chances in the afternoon. Surf was expected to continue to be elevated through Wednesday, mostly 3 to 6 feet, according to the NWS.
Coastal flooding was possible during morning high tides at low-lying beaches, especially Tuesday and Wednesday.
San Diego Gas & Electric issued a statement Monday urging residents to stay away from damaged and downed power lines.
"During rainstorms, power lines may become damaged or fall, potentially posing a threat to those nearby," it read. "It is crucial for customers to stay safe, be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid potential dangers associated with downed power lines."
Residents should always assume downed lines are energized, keep a safe distance and never touch them. If you come across a downed power line, call 9-1-1 and SDG&E at 1-800-411-7343. Do not attempt to handle the situation yourself.
Crews are on standby ready to report to any downed power lines or power outages.
9:40 a.m.: Virtually all parts of San Diego County is under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.
The warning for the coast and valley locations in the county’s central and southern regions is expected to last through 12:45 p.m.
Locations that may be impacted:
- Chula Vista
- El Cajon
- National City
- La Mesa
- Poway
- Imperial Beach
- Coronado
- Del Mar
- North Park
- Mission Valley
The flash flood warning for the North County’s coast and the county’s western valleys is slated to be in effect until 11:30 a.m.
Cities where flash flooding may occur:
- Oceanside
- Carlsbad
- Vista
- Encinitas
- Del Mar
- Fallbrook
- Camp Pendleton
- Escondido
- San Marcos
- Solana Beach
8:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a flash flood warning for Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Vista. The warning is expected to last through 11:30 a.m.
Residents in those areas are urged to “move immediately to higher ground” and “avoid walking or driving through flood waters," per the NWS.
A flood watch has been issued for parts of San Diego County Monday by the National Weather Service.
The flood watch will begin at 9 a.m. Monday and be in effect until Monday night. It is in effect in the San Diego County coastal areas, deserts, mountains and valleys.
Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. The NWS recommends monitoring forecasts throughout the day for possible flood warnings. Those in flood prone areas should be prepared to evacuate if flooding develops.
Heavy rain is expected to develop Monday morning with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
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