SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Tropical Storm Kay has abruptly shifted San Diego's weather out of an oppressive heat wave and into a period of rain, high winds and fears of flooding.
More than a half-inch of rain had already fallen at the airport as of Friday, while more than three-quarters of an inch had fallen in other areas.
A flood watch will be in place through Saturday evening in San Diego County mountains, deserts and valleys.
"Warm, windy and humid conditions will continue through this evening with occasional heavy rain bands and embedded thunderstorms moving across Southern California due to Tropical Storm Kay located about a hundred miles southwest of San Diego," according to the NWS. "Areas of heavy rain could cause flooding problems through Saturday, as deep tropical moisture lingers across our area. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible again each day Sunday through Tuesday, as well, as Kay slowly dissipates, but stalls out, southwest of San Diego, through Tuesday. Although it will remain more humid than normal through next week, temperatures will be much more seasonal."
Forecasters said mountain and desert areas could get 2 to 4 inches of rain, with some mountain slopes getting as much as 8 inches. Valley areas could get as much as 1 to 3 inches.
Kay had been categorized as a hurricane, but it weakened as it made landfall Thursday night, then began shifting to the northwest over the ocean. But Kay was still packing a punch, promising to bring widespread rain across the region.
Record rainfall and gusty winds impacted roads across San Diego County on Friday.
Wind gusts created a hazard for drivers. In other parts of the county, high winds knocked over trees and downed powerlines.
The heavy rain in the South Bay and Tijuana is creating concerns about beaches in the area. Beachgoers are warned to stay out of the water in Imperial Beach due to alarmingly high bacteria levels.
The wet weather created a tough commute for drivers as rain from Tropical Storm Kay soaked the roads.
Showers impacted most of San Diego County with most of the rainfall seen in local mountains and deserts. Chances of rain will continue throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead: Rounds of rain in the forecast for the weekend
WATCH RELATED: Rain soaks South Bay, Tijuana creating concerns over contaminated beaches
Wet conditions in Downtown San Diego created a delay for the start of the San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game at Petco Park.
Fans were left waiting at Petco Park on Friday because of bursts of rain in the Downtown area. The first pitch was delayed until 7:20 p.m., the Padres said.
WATCH RELATED: Rainy and wet conditions delay start of Padres game at Petco Park
As they have in the past, the County and Cal Fire provided free bags and/or sand at numerous fire stations for people who live in the unincorporated areas.
Rain can cause flooding and erosion, particularly in areas that are not covered by plants, landscaping, grass and trees. Rain runoff can sweep topsoil, mud, plant material and debris off land and downstream where it can damage homes, clog culverts and storm drains, and flood and damage roadways.
Sand and bags, or bags alone, will be available for unincorporated residents at the fire stations located below.
School Closures:
- Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed on Friday, Sept. 9.
- Spencer Valley School District will close today, Friday, Sept. 9, at 11:30 a.m., and no after-school activities will be held today.
- Julian Union High School and Julian Union Elementary School districts have also just announced they will follow their minimum day schedules Friday.
For additional updates, click here.
Weather Alerts
Interactive Radar Map | Follow the rain as it moves into San Diego County
Flood Watch | Sept 9 at 12:00 p.m. - Sept 11 at 12:00 a.m.
Mountains, Deserts
Beach Hazard Statement | Sept 9 at 11:00 a.m. - Sept 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Coast
For the latest information on the forecast and the weather watches/advisories, download the News 8 app.
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.
Sand and Bags
People should call ahead to double-check availability and remember to bring a shovel to fill the bags. Some stations may have a limited supply.
- Bonita: Bonita-Sunnyside Fire Station: 4900 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902, P: 619-479-2346
- Boulevard: Boulevard Fire Station #47: 40080 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard, CA 91905, P: 619-390-2020
- De Luz: 39431 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-728-2422
- Dulzura: Dulzura Fire Station #30: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura, CA 91917, P: 619-468-3391
- Fallbrook: Pala Mesa Fire Station #4, 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028, P: 760-723-2005
- Julian: Julian-Cuyamaca: Fire Station #56, 3407 Hwy 79, Julian, CA 92036, P: 760-765-2885
- Ramona: Ramona Fire Station #82, 3410 Dye Road, Ramona, CA 92065, P: 760-789-0107
- Rincon: Rincon Fire Station #70: 16971 Highway 76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061, P: 760-742-3243
- Warner Springs: Sunshine Summit Fire Station #59, 35227 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086, P: 760-782-9113
Bags Only
- Alpine: Alpine Fire Station #17 1364 Tavern Road Alpine, CA 91901 P: 619-445-2635
- Borrego Springs: Ocotillo Wells Fire Station #54 5841 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 P: 760-767-7430
- Campo: Campo Fire Station #40 31577 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5516
- Campo: Lake Morena Fire Station #42 29690 Oak Drive, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5960
- Descanso: Descanso Fire Station #45 24592 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso, CA 91916 P: 619-445-7508
- El Cajon: Harbison Canyon Fire Station #24 551 Harbison Canyon Road, El Cajon, CA 92019 P: 619-445-5001
- Escondido: Deer Springs Fire Station #13 10308 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido, CA 92026 P: 760-751-0820
- Escondido: Miller Fire Station #15 9127 W. Lilac Road, Escondido, CA 92025 P: 760-728-8532
- Fallbrook: De Luz Fire Station #16 39431 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-728-2422
- Jacumba: Jacumba Fire Station #43 1255 Jacumba St., Jacumba, CA 91934 P: 619-766-4535
- Jamul: Deerhorn Fire Station #37 2383 Honeysprings Road, Jamul, CA 91935 P: 619-468-3030
- Laguna: Mt. Laguna Fire Station #49 10385 Sunrise Highway, Mt Laguna, CA 91948 P: 619-473-8281
- Palomar Mountain: Fire Station #79, 21610 Crestline Road, Palomar Mtn., CA 92060, P: 760-742-3701
- Pine Valley: Pine Valley Fire Station #44 28850 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley, CA 91962 P: 619-578-6621
- Portrero: Portrero Fire Station #31 25130 Highway 94, Potrero, CA 91963 P: 619-478-5544
- Ranchita: Ranchita Fire Station #58 37370 Montezuma Valley Road, Ranchita, CA 92066 P: 760-782-3467 *(Not staffed 24/7)
- San Marcos: Deer Springs Fire Station #12 1321 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 P: 760-741-5512
- San Pasqual: San Pasqual Fire Station #84 17701 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92025 P: 858-573-1322
- Valley Center: Valley Center Fire Station #2, 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center, CA 92082, P: 760-751-7605
- Warner Springs: Warner Springs Fire Station #52 31049 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086 P: 760-782-3560
You may also want to check out this how-to video, “You’ve Got Your Sandbags, Now What?” that explains how to properly fill and use sandbags to protect your property.
WATCH RELATED: Rain soaks roads, winds take out powerlines across San Diego