SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A cool autumn storm delivered some all-too-rare rainfall to the San Diego area Tuesday.
The unsettled system began dousing the drought-weary region overnight, dropping around one-third of an inch of moisture in a few East County locations by late morning, according to the National Weather Service. Most locales, however, had seen less than one-tenth of an inch as of midday, the agency reported.
The heaviest downpours were expected to begin in the mid- to late afternoon, according to meteorologists. Total precipitation from the storm was expected to range from 1 to 2.5 inches in coastal and valley areas, and from 2 to 4 inches in the mountains.
The NWS issued a flash-flood watch for coastal, valley and mountains communities effective through 9 a.m. Wednesday. The highest risk centered around steep mountain slopes and recent burn areas.
Coastal locales, including Oceanside, Cardiff, La Jolla and Imperial Beach, likely will be vulnerable to flooding Wednesday, the weather service warned.
Property owners concerned about flooding were offered up to 10 free sandbags each from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The sacks -- which must be filled by recipients, using beach sand if so desired -- were being distributed at lifeguard stations at La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach, and at city firehouses in Ocean Beach, the Midway District, Pacific Beach, Kearny Mesa, San Ysidro, Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Rancho Penasquitos, Santaluz and Pacific Highlands.
The sacks are also available at the following city firehouses:
-- Fire Station 15, 4711 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach;
-- Fire Station 20, 3305 Kemper St., Midway district;
-- Fire Station 21, 750 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach;
-- Fire Station 28, 3880 Kearny Villa Road, Kearny Mesa;
-- Fire Station 29, 198 W. San Ysidro Blvd., San Ysidro;
-- Fire Station 33, 16966 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo;
-- Fire Station 37, 11640 Spring Canyon Road, Scripps Ranch;
-- Fire Station 39, 4949 La Cuenta Drive, Tierrasanta;
-- Fire Station 40, 13393 Salmon River Road, Rancho Penasquitos;
-- Fire Station 46, 14456 Lazanja Drive, Santaluz; and
-- Fire Station 47, 6041 Edgewood Bend Court, Pacific Highlands.
-- John Lippitt Public Works Center at 1800 Maxwell Road
County officials, meanwhile, made free bags and sand available at fire stations in Bonita, Dulzura, Fallbrook, Julian, Ramona and Valley Center. People were asked to bring their own shovels to fill the sacks.