SAN DIEGO — A powerful Pacific storm brought widespread rain, mountain snow, and strong winds to San Diego County and is expected through Tuesday.
On Tuesday, several school districts in San Diego County mountain areas were forced to close due to weather and road conditions:
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire Unified School District
- Spencer Valley School District
- Warner Unified School District
Monday morning's rain prompted water rescues. Seven people were rescued from the rain-swollen San Diego River, but none suffered injuries.
Just after 9 a.m., the San Diego Fire Department's swift water rescue team responded to the area of the river near 4700 Pacific Highway. Once crews arrived, they found the victims stuck on an island and some in the water, according to fire officials.
By 9:30 a.m., five people were rescued from the area, according to the SDFD.
According to the department, a helicopter crew helped locate two additional people west of the original location. Using a rescue boat, lifeguards brought the final two people out of the water at SeaWorld Drive, according to fire officials.
According to the NWS, the San Diego River at Fashion Valley reached the flood stage Monday morning.
Roads impacted were Fashion Valley Road, Avenida Del Rio, Camino Del Este, Camino De La Reina, and Mission Center Road.
School closures
The strong pacific storm forced school closures for Jan. 17.
The following school districts will be closed on Tuesday due to weather and road conditions:
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire Unified School District
- Spencer Valley School District
- Warner Unified School District
Weather Alerts
Interactive Radar Map | Follow the rain as it moves into San Diego County
- River Flood Warning
7:25 AM on Monday, Jan. 16 - 1:00 AM Tuesday, Jan. 17
Winter Weather Advisory | San Diego County mountains:
2:00 PM on Monday, Jan. 16 - 12:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 17
Wind Advisory | San Diego County deserts:
4:00 AM on Monday, Jan. 16 - 1:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 17
High Surf Advisory
3:54 AM on Sunday, Jan. 15 - 10:00 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 17
For the latest information on the forecast and the weather watches/advisories, download the CBS 8 app.
A lower snow level could allow for heavier snow accumulations in mountain communities through Tuesday morning as progressively colder air is drawn southward. Scattered rain, snow, and ice pellet showers were likely to persist through Tuesday.
The final wave in this series was expected to move over the region Tuesday night and should bring an end to the showers.
A large long-period west swell was expected to continue to generate combined seas of 7 to 10 feet on the coast Sunday morning.
Southwest-to-west winds of 15 to 20 knots, gusts to 25 knots, and rough seas could occur through Sunday. Stronger southerly winds and high combined seas should develop late Sunday night and persist through Monday as another storm and a significant west swell move in, with hazardous winds and seas persisting through Tuesday.
The small craft advisory was extended into Tuesday evening.
WATCH: San Diegans deal with downed trees, flooded roads, and hazardous conditions due to winter storm