Severe flash flooding wreaked havoc during morning commutes in a major California county on Monday. Intense rainfall led to road shutdowns, power outages, and school closures, causing chaos for residents.
The nation has been hit by a series of weather events in the past week, including frigid temperatures, heavy snow and rain, and occasional flooding. Heavy rain was also observed in Los Angeles County on Monday and in southern and central Texas on Sunday. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings in anticipation of more storms.
A flood watch has been declared in San Diego County by the weather service, citing “excessive rainfall” until 9 p.m. The weather service issued a warning about potential flooding in areas with poor drainage and urban settings. They emphasized that storm drains and ditches could become blocked by debris. A low-pressure system moved inland over Southern California and northern Baja, bringing rain to the region.
In a recent update, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced on social media that a state of emergency has been declared in the city. This decision comes in response to the heavy rainfall and subsequent flash flooding that has been occurring. Gloria urged residents to remain at home if feasible and cautioned against any attempts to travel on flooded roads.
Footage circulating on social media captured the harrowing sight of vehicles being mercilessly carried away by powerful floodwaters. The weather service reported numerous road closures, including an off-ramp on Interstate 5 that is frequently used to access the San Diego Airport.
In response to the current situation, the city has established sandbag locations to assist residents. Additionally, the American Red Cross has opened shelters to provide support and temporary housing. Furthermore, a temporary shelter has been set up to address the needs of the homeless population.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a rare and heavy rainstorm occurred in San Diego County following the arrival of Pacific moisture from San Clemente Island. According to a news organization, National City received three inches of rain, while San Diego International Airport recorded two inches of rainfall.
Heavy Rain in San Diego
San Diego International Airport has tied the record for the fifth rainiest day, with rainfall still continuing, according to the weather service. By just after 6 p.m., the airport has received 2.70 inches of rain. Point Loma experienced heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, with a total of 3.91 inches recorded. This brings the cumulative rainfall over the course of three days to 4.49 inches.
Recent reports indicate that Santiago Peak experienced a significant amount of rainfall, with a total of five inches recorded over a span of three days. Heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the San Diego River, with water levels rising over 6 feet in less than 12 hours, as reported by a U.S. Geological Survey gage.
Parts of the county experienced mudslides, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego. In certain areas of the region, cars were completely submerged in water. First responders in San Diego County are advising the public to avoid traveling on the roads. An emergency alert from the weather service has described the situation as dangerous and life-threatening. “Travel should only be considered if you are escaping from a region at risk of flooding or if there is an official evacuation directive in place.”
Communities and schools are currently grappling with power outages and flooding caused by the severe weather storm. According to the San Diego County Office of Education, multiple school district schedules are being affected this week.
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