An "unseasonably cold and vigorous storm system" drenched San Diego County during Easter weekend, but the rain was expected to taper off late Sunday night into the overnight hours.
While Saturday morning's rainfall was this storm's heaviest, Easter Sunday was forecasted to still bring scattered rain showers that could be potentially heavy at times.
Some showers and isolated thunderstorms could linger through Monday afternoon across the valleys and the mountains, according to NBC 7 meteorologist Francella Perez.
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Hail (possibly half-an-inch) was possible for Escondido, San Marcos, Valley Center until 4 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service said. Winds of up to 40 mph were also possible for that region.
At Fashion Valley, the San Diego River reached just below 8 feet, while the flood stage is at 10 feet, according to NBC 7 meteorologists.
Some locations that were expected to experience flooding include Fallbrook and Camp Pendleton.
Officials warned residents to be prepared to take action should flooding develop, and be alert in the mountains for rock slides and rocks in the road.
San Diego, Vista, Chula Vista, Ramona and Alpine all broke records on Saturday in the amount of rain they got, according to the NWS.
A couple of regions on Saturday also broke new temperature records or tie previous records: Vista (57 degrees), Chula Vista (58 degrees), Escondido (56 degrees), Ramona (53 degrees) and Alpine (53 degrees).
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On Friday, officials encouraged residents to "prepare and take precautions" ahead of the storm. The city's Storm Patrol -- made up of dozens of teams from the Transportation and Stormwater departments -- were sent out to clean storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup. Crews were also sweeping streets to reduce trash and pollutants from entering waterways.
During the rain, Storm Patrol teams will monitor pump stations and more than 46,000 storm drains throughout the city for any issues. They will also respond to reported incidents of flooding, and downed trees or branches.
Residents may report storm-related problems or issues by calling the city's Public Works Dispatch at 619-527-7500 or using the Get It Done app.
Weather ahead
Stray showers could continue through Monday morning, according to NBC 7 meteorologist Brooke Martell.
Forecasters said there's a slight chance the storm activity could linger into early Monday, but "otherwise dry and warmer conditions are expected next week, with highs back into the 70s across the valleys and inland coastal plain areas by Tuesday."
By Wednesday, the county's daytime high temperatures will be very comfortable as the numbers get close to or near seasonal averages for this time of the year, Perez said.
Unfortunately, this weather pattern will likely not last long because another cold but weaker Pacific storm system will be arriving sometime Thursday evening into Friday, bringing us a drastic cooldown, winds and a chance of rain. Stay tuned for details on the exact timing and rainfall amounts expected.
What does a Flash Flood Warning mean?
Many San Diego residents received a loud alert on their phones Saturday morning notifying them about a Flash Flood Warning issued by the NWS until 11:30 a.m. for those in San Diego, Escondido and Chula Vista.
The warning tells residents that a sudden flood is happening or could soon happen in their area, according to the NWS.
"If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain," the NWS writes on their website.
San Diego Weather
Precautions
San Diego city officials Friday encouraged residents to "prepare and take precautions" ahead a Pacific storm system forecast for the region that will start Friday evening and last through the weekend.
Before rain falls, the city's Storm Patrol -- made up of dozens of teams from the Transportation and Stormwater departments -- will be sent out to clean storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup, officials said. Crews will also sweep streets to reduce trash and pollutants from entering waterways, they added.
In the interest of residential safety, officials said the city may close flood-prone roads along the San Diego River before the storm arrives.
During the rain, Storm Patrol teams will monitor pump stations and more than 46,000 storm drains throughout the city for any issues. They will also respond to reported incidents of flooding, and downed trees or branches.
- The city said residents can prepare ahead of time and lower flooding risks by taking these steps:
- Sweep and pick up trash, leaves, grass clippings or other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near a home;
- Keep trash and recycle bin lids securely closed on when putting them out for pick-up, and keep each bin 2 to 3 feet away from the curb to hindering storm water flow on the street;
- Proactively turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff;
- Know the safest routes to and from their home or property, if flooding happens;
- Slow down and do not drive, ride or walk through flood waters; and
- Do not open or lift manhole covers in the event of street flooding.
Sandbags available
There are limited number of filled sandbags available Friday for people impacted by the Jan. 22 storm and flooding. Those residents may pick up sandbags until 7 p.m. at the Mountain View Recreation Center, also the site of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center, and the Encanto Recreation Center.
For those living elsewhere in the city or businesses, empty sandbags are available at select recreation centers during operating hours and are limited to 10 bags. However, sand is not provided.
Sandbag locations are:
- Council District 1, Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St. ;
- Council District 2 (inland), North Clairemont Recreation Center, 4421 Bannock Ave. and (coastal) Robb Field Athletic Area, 2525 Bacon St.;
- Council District 3, Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive;
- Council District 4, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, 6401 Skyline Drive;
- Council District 5, Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive;
- Council District 6, Standley Recreation Center, 3585 Governor Drive;
- Council District 7, Allied Gardens Recreation Center, 5155 Greenbrier Ave.
- Council District 8, San Ysidro Community Activity Center, 179 Diza Road or Southcrest Recreation Center, 4149 Newton Ave.; and
- Council District 9, City Heights Recreation Center, 4380 Landis St.
Shelter available
In preparation for a storm system that forecasters say will bring heavy rain, the San Diego Housing Commission Friday activated four inclement weather shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
These shelters will be opened later Friday at the following locations:
- Father Joe's Villages, at the Joan Kroc Center, 1501 Imperial Ave., can take up to 61 adults, and has an additional 11 beds for families with minor children and/or single women, with check-in at 4 p.m. until the shelter is full, with check-out at 5 a.m. Saturday;
- Paul Mirabile Center, also at 1501 Imperial Ave., can accept up to 62 adult individuals, and check-in at 4 p.m. until the facility is full, with check-out at 5 a.m. Saturday;
- Living Water Church of the Nazarene at 1550 Market St. can take up to 28 adults, who can check-in between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., until the facility is full, with check-out set for 6:30 a.m.; and
- San Diego Rescue Mission at 120 Elm St. can accept up to 10 single women able to access the top bunks, and check-in starts at 5 p.m. throughout the night until the shelter is full, with check-out at 7 a.m. Saturday.
The program is a partnership of the San Diego Housing Commission, city of San Diego and the shelters.
