SAN DIEGO — San Diego County officials closed roads and cleaned up Wednesday after flooding from heavy rains in unincorporated communities.
According to the county's Department of Public Works, the following roads were closed:
- In Ramona, 13th Street at Main Street and Walnut Street
- In Escondido, Ivy Dell between Jesmond Dene Park and North Centre City Parkway
- In Lake San Marcos, Discovery Street from San Marcos Boulevard to San Pablo Drive
- In Rancho Santa Fe, El Montevideo from San Elijo to Via De Fortuna
- In Valley Center, Cole Grade Road from Spring Valley to Old Cole Grade
- In El Montevideo, between San Elijo and Via De Fortuna
- Sandia Creek from Santa Margarita Preserve to Rock Mountain in the De Luz area
The county reopened Ramona Road and Letton Street in Ramona just after 3 p.m., and Rice Canyon at State Route 76 shortly after 1 p.m.
The National Weather Service reported rain totals of 2 inches for North County communities on Wednesday, including Carlsbad and Oceanside; 1.5 inches in the county's central region; between 1 and 1.25 inches in the South County region; and 1.5 to 2.5 inches in East County communities, including El Cajon, Santee and Poway.
Mountain areas received the most rain, with 4.92 inches at Palomar Mountain, 2 inches in Julian and 1 inch of rain at Mount Laguna.
According to the county Land Use and Environment Group, once a major storm hits, crews begin removing downed trees and branches, clearing mud or rock slides on county roads, alerting the public to road closures, clearing impacted storm drains and using snow plows in the mountains.
Residents should avoid areas of standing water during a storm and not drive through flooded roadways, as roadbeds might be washed out. Drivers who see flood waters rising around their vehicle should abandon it and move to higher ground in a safe manner, according to LUGE.
Sand and Sandbags
San Diego County Office of Emergency Services and ReadySanDiego.org reports that free sand and sandbags are available to residents and business throughout San Diego County at the following locations:
Storm Preparedness & Resource Information
The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes and broken street lights
Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers
Report flooding to the City's emergency dispatch center at 619-527-7500
Report downed electrical lines or gas emergencies to San Diego Gas & Electric at 800-411-7343
ReadySanDiego.org has information on how to protect yourself and your property during a flooding situation
For more information on preparing for a storm and what to do during and after the rain, click here to be taken to the City of San Diego’s Storm Preparedness website.
Watch Related: North County rain leads to flooding, closures and infrastructure damage