San Diego city officials breathed a sign of relief Thursday following the lighter-than-anticipated winter rains that fell across the area, but warned residents there is more to come.
A fast-moving Pacific storm brought more widespread rainfall, blustery conditions and concerns about flooding across the San Diego region, but not the historically heavy downpours that left roadways, commercial districts and residential neighborhoods underwater in many parts of the region on Jan. 22.
As of Thursday afternoon, the steady showers had dropped anywhere from a few hundredths of an inch to more than 2 1/2 inches of precipitation across the county, according to the National Weather Service.
The highest local 24-hour totals at 1:45 p.m. were concentrated inland and along the coast, not the city, where Encanto, Mission Valley, Mountain View, San Ysidro, Sorrento Valley and Southcrest suffered severe flooding last week.
By midday Thursday, officials had recorded 2.75 inches at Palomar Observatory; 1.46 in Fallbrook; 1.45 in San Onofre; 1.35 in Bonsall and Deer Springs; 1.34 in Mesa Grande; 1.27 at Rainbow Camp; 1.26 in Escondido; 1.25 in Carlsbad and Encinitas, and 1.22 on Birch Hill.
There had been no reports of serious local flooding, though there had been dozens of street closures.
Among the highest 12-hour precipitation totals earlier at 11 a.m. were readings of 1.29 inches in San Onofre, 1.17 in Fallbrook and 1.05 on Palomar Mountain, the NWS advised.
In addition, surf conditions are expected to peak late Thursday into Friday before tapering off Friday night and Saturday.
A high-surf advisory will remain in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday. Large breaking waves could reach highs of between six to 10 feet.
The potential for more out-of-control urban storm runoff had prompted the city of San Diego to issue an evacuation warning for areas that had received the brunt of the destructive rains last week.
But those fears largely went unrealized, officials, including Mayor Todd Gloria said in a 5 p.m. briefing, though they also urged residents to stay vigiliant with more rain predicted for Monday.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department on Thursday performed one water rescue of two men in Chollas Creek. Swift water rescue teams from SDFD’s Lifeguard Division, though, will remain fully staffed through Friday.
Emergency call volume decreased from last week’s storm, with calls dropping from 1,027 to 390 on Thursday, said Bethany Bezak, the city’s director of transportation.
Gloria said the city likely would lift an evacuation warning for the low-lying neighborhoods that flooded last week and were considered at risk on Thursday.
However, he reminded residents to prepare for more rain, noting that a stronger storm is anticipated Monday.
“I want to let San Diegans know we are not out of the woods yet,” Gloria said.
Officials had advised affected residents to come up with a plan to relocate if possible. The city also opened a shelter for evacuees at the Municipal Gym on Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park, with transportation to the facility available for those in need and Humane Society personnel onsite to provide pet-sheltering services.
Aside from, Fire-Rescue Department preparations, municipal crews were tasked with monitoring some 46,000 storm drains in anticipation of any flooding problems.
Sandbags may be picked up at 11 recreation centers throughout the city. A full listing of the locations and other storm-related resources can be found online.
In addition to the likelihood of flooding, the storm was expected to generate winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph across the inland valleys, forecasters said.
San Diego Gas & Electric reminded the public to always stay far away from any power lines that might be down and avoid touching anyone who comes into contact with one.
County officials, for their part, advised residents of unincorporated communities to stay home if they could.
“If you live in a flood-prone area, take necessary precautions, protect your family and property (and) have a plan and a go-kit so you are ready,” Emergency Services Director Jeff Toney said.
County officials offered the following additional tips:
- Avoid walking, swimming or driving through flood waters.
- Register your cell phone at Alert San Diego to receive updates on storm conditions.
- Evacuate immediately if told to evacuate or if you feel unsafe. 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. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
- Make plans for different times of the day to account for when family members are at work, school, or other obligations.
The new wave of wintry weather arrived as the region struggles to recover from a storm that began Jan. 20 and generated three days of intense rainfall.
Last week, the city and county of San Diego, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom, declared states of emergency following the damage or destruction of hundreds of homes. Much of the most serious flooding struck southeastern San Diego.
Following a respite of mostly dry conditions over the weekend, additional storms are expected to begin in the region early next week, according to meteorologists.
– City News Service
Updated at 5:30 and 5:55 p.m. Feb. 1, 2024