From downed trees to power outages to flooded roadways, a winter storm was creating problems across San Diego Thursday.
The day started out relatively mild compared with the historic winter storm of Jan. 22 that left hundreds of homes flooded and residents displaced, inundated by mud and debris. As the day progressed, flood watches and weather warnings were issued by officials.
As of late Thursday morning, the steady showers had dropped anywhere from a few hundredths of an inch to nearly 1 1/3 inches of moisture across the county, according to the National Weather Service.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
Among the highest 12-hour precipitation totals at 11 a.m. — by which time there were no reports of serious local flooding — were readings of 1.29 inches in San Onofre, 1.17 inches in Fallbrook and 1.05 on Palomar Mountain, the NWS reported.
The widespread, heavier showers will come to an end on Thursday afternoon, according to NBC 7's Greg Bledsoe, who added that the evening will likely be drier but there is still a chance for isolated showers overnight and into the morning. There’s also a chance for thunderstorms as the cold air moves in behind the front during the night.
This weekend is looking drier, especially Saturday, but another round of rain arrives next week, when a slow-moving storm system will bring a chance for rain several days in a row, starting as early as Sunday evening. However, the models don’t really agree on the timing, so stay tuned on that.
In the wake of last week's historic storm, local officials prepared extensively for Thursday's weather. Here's how the storm is impacting San Diego:
NBC 7 Storm Coverage
Road closures
North County San Diego
- Oceanside: The on-ramp to eastbound SR-78 at El Camino Real was closed as a flooding precaution
- Encinitas: Vulcan Ave & Union St intersection shut down due to flooding
- Encinitas: 600 block of Orpheus Ave at Puebla St and Hymettus Ave shut down due to flooding
East County San Diego
- Spring Valley: Quarry Road is closed due to flooding
City of San Diego as of 11 a.m. on Thursday
Flooding has been reported at the following locations:
- Aero Drive at Sandrock Road
- Convoy Street at Dagget Street
- 15400-15600 Old Milky Way
- 2500 Hotel Circle Place
- Mission Boulevard at Reed Avenue
- North Mission Bay freeway ramp at Interstate 5
- 14200 San Dieguito Road (westbound lanes)
- 4500 Logan Ave.
- 6800-6900 Imperial Ave.
The following road has been closed to through traffic:
- 10800 block of San Diego Mission Road
- Sorrento Valley Road at Carmel Mountain Road
- 11100 Roselle Street
- 6000 Carroll Road
- 2800 Hollister Street
- Saturn Boulevard at Sunset Avenue
As of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the following roads in San Diego are closed, according to the city's website:
Southcrest
- Vesta Street between Birch Street and Acacia Street
- Delta Street at Acacia Street
- Gamma Street between South 38th Street and South 39th Street
- South 37th Street between Acacia Grove Way and Boston Avenue
- South 38th Street between Acacia Street and Boston Avenue
- Acacia Grove Way at Silktree Terrace
- Z Street at 39th Street
All areas northwest of these closures will be inaccessible by vehicle, Officer Darius Jamsetjee with the San Diego Police Department said.
Encanto
- The following roads are closed between Akins and Brooklyn Avenues: Iona Drive, 60th Street, 61st Street, 62nd Street, 63rd Street, Stork Street, 64th Street, 65th Street, 66th Street, 67th Street and 68th Street
- Akins Avenue between Iona Drive and San Altos Place
- 68th and 69th Streets between Madrone and Imperial Avenues
- Jamacha Road between 68th and Flicker Streets
- Pidgeon Street between Lisbon Street and Imperial Avenue
All areas between Akins and Brooklyn from Iona to Broadway will be inaccessible by vehicle, according to Jamsetjee.
San Diego River Crossing Status
The National Weather Service also issued a flood warning for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley through Friday morning. The river was expected to crest at 10.3 feet at 6 p.m., according to the NWS.
Impacts will be felt visible when the river reaches 7.5 feet; by 9 feet, some parking garages in the Fashion Valley area may flood. By 11 feet, the parking garages will have about 3 feet of water at the lowest levels and the trolley may be impacted, the NWS said.
- Riverwalk between Avenida del Rio and Hazard Center Drive
- Avenida del Rio between Riverwalk and Camino de la Reina
- Fashion Valley Road between Riverwalk and Camino de la Reina
- Camino de la Reina between Avenida del Rio and Camino de la Siesta
Updated road closures can also be found here.
Transit detours
The storm was creating some delays and detours on MTS bus and trolley routes, particularly the Orange trolley line that was still closed from the Jan. 22 storm. Get the latest updates here.
Power outages and downed lines
Bay Park power outage
About 600 people in the Bay Park area of San Diego were without power Thursday morning after a downed tree came in contact with power lines. By 10 a.m., 200 people were still affected and SDG&E crews were working to repair damage. Power was expected to be restored by 1 p.m., the agency said.
Lakeside power outage
Officials with the Lakeside Fire Department said a tree had come down in the 9900 block of Blossom Valley Road, knocking down power lines when it came down. Firefighters are remaining on scene till an SDG&E crew can arrive and shut of the electricity.
Wildcat Canyon Road closure
A crash that caused power lines to go down caused a closure of Wildcat Canyon Road at Muth Valley Road at 11:18 a.m., according to the Lakeside Fire Department.
City of San Diego issues evacuation warning
As the storm moved toward the city of San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria and others held a news conference discussing steps officials had taken in anticipation of another heavy rainfall.
At the conference, Gloria said his office would be issuing an evacuation warning to residents in low-lying areas that endured flooding last week, including the communities near Chollas Creek like Southcrest and Shelltown, and also to the south, in San Ysidro. The warning was just that, for now, with residents being urged to prepare if evacuation becomes necessary.
During the week, Red Cross officials estimated that as many as 500 homes in those neighborhoods, as well as Encanto and Mountain View, were believed to have experienced some sort of flooding.
The city has also established an evacuation shelter at the municipal gym in Balboa Park (2111 Pan American Plaza) and will provide transportation to those who need it on Feb. 1-2. The shelter has the capacity to accommodate 400 people.
San Diego Unified School District is using its school buses to provide transportation. Pickup times are at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3.p.m. and 6.p.m. at the following locations:
- Encanto Rec Center | 6508 Wunderlin Ave.
- Mountain View/Beckwourth Library | 721 San Pasqual St.
- College-Rolando Library | 6600 Montezuma Rd.
The United Taxi Workers San Diego will help impacted residents under the evacuation warning get to the temporary shelter at no charge. To schedule a ride, call 619-280-4444
Zones under evacuation warning:
City workers were dispatched after the storm to Chollas Creek, a natural, concrete-lined flood channel filled with decades of growing flora as well as trash and other debris that had overflowed its banks, in some cases, accompanied by blocked flood drains, creating a flood plain in Southeast San Diego.
More than 100 city staff members and contractors have inspected and performed emergency clearing of channels, said Bethany Bezak, who is the director of the city's transportation department, adding that more than four miles of channels were cleared or inspected in the past five days.
Chollas Creek, from Beta and Birch roads to Ocean View and Cottonwood Creek, from Osborne to 43rd streets will be fully cleared by Wednesday evening, Bezak said
"Given what we saw last Monday, the ground in these communities remains saturated, the significant clearing that has been accomplished in these storm channels and storm culverts, today, we will be taking an extra precaution to protect the residents of these communities," Gloria said, regarding the evacuation warming. "This is not an evacuation order, this warning is voluntary and it is designed to encourage residents in these flood-prone communities to prepare if and when evacuation does become necessary."
Officials are urging residents to gather any documents and belongings they still have after last week's flooding and to make sure they have a plan for their families and pets if major flooding occurs, the mayor added. Those who are able should seek other housing accommodations, Gloria said.
As much as homeowners want to secure what they have left, some say they can’t take another catastrophe. For families that live at Osborn and Cottonwood streets in Shelltown, the clock is ticking on the next hard rain.
Olivia Espinoza spent 27 years in a street-level apartment. Just last year, she moved to the second floor, which spared her from last week's flood.
She spared her first-floor neighbors. Espinoza waded through high water to get them out.
“They couldn’t go out because their door was locked, so I had to push them and break in,“ Espinoza said.
She lost two cars and isn’t sticking around to lose a third.
“I’m nervous because of the cars. I lost my two cars,” Espinoza said. “I don’t want this to happen again. What’s going to happen to my cars? Am I going to lose them again?"
Down the street, the Alvarez family gutted the duplex that has been their home for three generations. They are waiting out the storm to rebuild.
“We’re at a stall. We don’t know where we stand right now with the weather. We are terrified,“ Patty Alvarez said.
While they won’t likely stay here through Thursday’s storm, Alvarez is just as afraid of not being here.
“I am scared. I am terrified. I want to be here to save the little bit that we have,” Alvarez said.
Colin Stowell, who is the chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue, said Wednesday that extra staff are being brought on during the storm, plus there are plans to add an additional eight swift-water rescue teams from its lifeguard division, which will be deployed across the city in flood-prone areas.
Two additional swift water rescue teams that are funded by the California Office of Emergency Services that will be dedicated to Southcrest/Southeast San Diego areas will be brought in.
If an evacuation order is issued, officers from the San Diego Police Department will be going door-to-door to make sure people got out.
The Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties has set up an overnight shelter at Lincoln High School in the 4700 block of Imperial Avenue. The Red Cross San Diego can be reached by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
County urges residents to plan ahead, sign up for alerts, get storm updates
The city of San Diego was not alone last week in suffering the effects of the torrential rain. The communities of Spring Valley, La Mesa, National City, Coronado and Lemon Grove also felt the brunt of the storm and are still working on mitigation more than 10 days later.
San Diego county leaders are urging residents to prepare for the storm Thursday, advising residents to stay home if they could and avoiding areas that could flood if they must leave home.
"If you live in a flood-prone area, take necessary precautions, protect your family and property, have a plan and a go kit so you are ready," County Emergency Services Director Jeff Toney said.
Among the tips county officials issued Wednesday included:
- Monitor the weather and news to stay informed of the latest developments
- Register your cell phone here to receive alerts and updates on storm conditions
- Evacuate immediately if told to evacuate or if you feel unsafe. Groups should discuss where to reunite if separated since phone service might not be reliable. If evacuated, disconnect all electrical appliances, turn off electricity at the panel, gas service at the meter and water at the main valve
- Get to the highest level of a building if trapped. Get on the roof only if necessary and, once there, signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
- Avoid walking, swimming or driving through flood waters
- Make plans for different times of the day to account for when family members are at work, school or other obligations
- Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911
The county is also urging residents to microchip their pets and have an evacuation plan for those animals and to not leave pets chained up outside during the storm.
Drivers urged to avoid driving through standing water
CHP officers responded to an astounding 1,800-plus calls during last week's storm, 700 more than the week before.
For Thursday, drivers are being urged to avoid flooded areas and, if they can't to exercise extreme caution driving through standing water. Also, before you drive, check your route before leaving so you can be aware of any road closures. Then, once you’re on the road, make sure your headlights and windshield wipers are on — and slow down.
“... slow down, be patient and then be observant of the existing road conditions," Caltrans Division chief Shawn Rizutto told NBC 7 on Wednesday. "You can't go the speed limit. Whenever you're in a torrential downpour, you have to slow down. So, there's hydroplaning, all of those things. Make sure that your car is in good operating condition. That's another thing. If you have tires that don't have good tread, then you're not going to have good traction."
Anlleyn Venegas, an expert with AAA said drivers should never go through standing water.
“Driving into flooded areas or freeways could really damage someone’s vehicle, but also it can place them in danger, most of the time is hard to tell how deep the water is on the road so don’t just don’t drive into a large water covered area,” Venegas said.
Simple rule: If you encounter a flooded road, turn around or back up if at all possible. If you've gone too far and your vehicle is no longer operational, call 911 and wait for help to arrive.
Caltrans, with crews on call 24/7, will begin storm patrol on Wednesday and are urging county residents to call 911 if they encounter a flooded road.
What should you do to prepare for the storm?
- Sweep and pick up trash, leaves, grass clippings and other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near your home;
- Place sandbags where necessary
- Keep the lid securely closed on the trash and recycle bins when placing them out on the street for collection. Place each bin approximately two to three feet away from the curb so as not to impede the stormwater flowing on the street
- Turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff
- Know the safest routes to and from your home or property should flooding occur
- Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers
- Slow down and do not drive, ride or walk through flood waters
- Do not open or lift manhole covers in the event of street flooding
Residents can report events, such as flooding or downed trees, by using the Get It Done application or by calling 619-527-7500. If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Where can you get sandbags?
Click here for a list of locations in San Diego. The county has a list of sandbag locations for people living in both unincorporated regions and incorporated areas.
On Thursday, city of San Diego workers and park rangers were spotted handing out sandbags at Encanto Neighborhood Park. Officials estimate that they had distributed at least 1,000 so far, with residents driving up and loading up their cars.
Several cities and organizations are offering free sandbags to residents.
For a full list of locations, click here.
Support for homeless river residents ahead of the storm
Many of the homeless people living along the San Diego River are still grappling with the aftermath of last week’s floods.
“A few of my friends almost drowned because of the way it came in so quickly,” one said.
The flooding happened in a matter of minutes, rising quickly to waist-deep levels.
“You can see where the water got to,” the San Diego River Foundation's Sarah Hutmacher said Wednesday, pointing to a tent. “There's a distinction water line that's halfway up that tent. [And] there's still standing water in that tent.”
Many of the homeless escaping the flood last week left behind ID and documents needed to get into shelters, along with their medications. Hutmacher worked this week with homeless outreach workers from PATH to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Teams are making their way up and down the river alerting as many residents as possible about the approaching storm.
While those preparations may not be necessary on Monday, forecasters are anticipating another wet week in our immediate future.
City News Service contributed to this report — Ed.
