SAN DIEGO — Widespread rain returned to San Diego County Thursday for the fifth day as another atmospheric river impacted our state.
Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency throughout California in response to severe winter storms.
According to the governor's office, the declaration will bolster emergency response efforts and authorizes the mobilization of the California National Guard for disaster response. It also allowed Caltrans to request immediate assistance from the Federal Highway Administration to expedite road repairs due to the storms.
The heaviest rain was predicted to hit the northern half of California, recovering from heavy rain and snow on New Year's Eve and Day.
Weather models showed widespread, moderate rain expected for most of Thursday.
Flooding was a significant hazard due to an already saturated ground and elevated water levels in flood channels, dry washes, and low water crossings.
Dangerously large breaking waves of 10 to 16 feet were expected.
According to the National Weather Service, minor coastal flooding was expected for the Coastal Flood Advisory.
The surf steadily increased into Thursday afternoon to around 10 feet, then rose to as high as 16 feet early Friday morning.
Everyone was asked to remain out of the water due to life-threatening surf conditions.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division increased staffing for Thursday and Friday in advance of severe weather conditions and offered the following tips:
- Turn around, don't drown! Please don't drive through flooded intersections. Only a few inches of water can move a vehicle. When an intersection is flooded, it's very deceptive to know how deep the water is. Don't take a chance! Turn around and find an alternate route.
- If you find yourself in your car in moving water and your car dies or can't drive out, stay with your vehicle and call 9-1-1.
- Please don't move signage, and please heed the signage by the City of San Diego. The city installs barriers and signage in areas that commonly flood so that people won't get injured, stuck, or need to be rescued. They also put no parking signs in areas they know from experience will flood. Please follow the parking instructions so that you don't come out after a rain and find a car filled with water.
- Please avoid the coast. We expect high surf and tides, which may cause flooding on the boardwalk and in other beach and bay areas.
- High surf conditions are not for inexperienced surfers and swimmers. If you don't have a lot of experience in the ocean, a day when we have high surf is not the day to go swimming or surfing.
Preparations
San Diego prepared for stormy weather Thursday, and leaders encouraged area residents to take proactive steps to prevent flooding.
According to the city, the Stormwater Department will be temporarily placing "no parking" signs in low-lying or flood-risk areas, cleaning storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup, street sweeping to reduce trash and pollutants from entering our waterways, and monitoring more than 46,000 storm drains citywide for any issues.
On an individual level, city and county residents can assist by:
- Sweeping and picking up trash, leaves, grass clippings, and other debris collected around storm drains and curb gutters near your home.
- Keep the lid securely closed on the trash and recycle bins when placing them on the street for collection, and place them several feet away from the curb not to impede stormwater.
- Turning off irrigation to save water.
- Knowing safe routes to and from your home should flooding occur.
- Slowing down and not attempting to traverse floodwaters.
- Not lifting manhole covers or grates in the event of flooding.
Additionally, sandbags are limited and can be picked up at nine recreation centers in each San Diego City Council District. Residents with identification showing proof of residency can receive up to 10 empty sandbags.
As the sandbags are not pre-filled, residents are also encouraged to plan to buy sand at local hardware stores, landscape suppliers, or wherever else sand can be purchased.
The locations to pick up sandbags are Standley Recreation Center, Robb Athletic Field, Golden Hill Recreation Center, Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, North Clairemont Recreation Center, Allied Gardens Recreation Center, San Ysidro Community Activity Center and City Heights Recreation Center.
During the rain, the city's storm patrol crews monitor areas and respond to incidents, such as temporary flooding and downed trees or branches.
Residents can report events, such as flooding or downed trees, using the Get It Done application or calling 619-527-7500. If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Weather Alerts
Interactive Radar Map | Follow the rain as it moves into San Diego County
Coastal Flood Advisory | San Diego County, coastal areas: Noon Thursday – 6:00 p.m., Friday.
High Surf Warning | San Diego County coastal areas: Noon Thursday – 6:00 p.m., Friday.
Wind Advisory | San Diego County mountains, inland valleys, coastal areas:
2:00 a.m. Thursday – noon, Thursday.
Storm Preparedness & Resource Information
The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken streetlights.
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.
Sandbags
- 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: De Luz Fire Station #16 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: 760-723-2024
- 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
- Valley Center: Valley Center Fire Station #2, 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center, CA 92082, P: 760-751-7605
- 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
- Jacumba: Jacumba Fire Station #43 1255 Jacumba St., Jacumba, CA 91934 P: 619-766-4535
- Jamul: Deerhorn Fire Station #37 2383 Honey Springs Road, Jamul, CA 91935 P: 619-468-3030
- Laguna: Mt. Laguna Fire Station #49 33947 Mount Laguna Drive, 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
- Potrero: Potrero 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)
- Deer Springs/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
- Warner Springs: Warner Springs Fire Station #52 31049 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086 P: 760-782-3560
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