Monday 22 January 2024

Several San Diego County roads, schools closed after heavy rain, flash floods

SAN DIEGO -- Several San Diego roads and schools are closed after heavy rain and flash flooding was reported across the county Monday. First responders have been urging people to stay off the streets as there have already been several rescues.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria Monday evening declared a State of Emergency in the City of San Diego due to the extreme rainfall and flash flooding.

Conditions have been improving in many areas as the day goes on and the rain is subsiding, however many highways and roads still remain flooded.

Flash floods were reported all over San Diego County. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Swift Water Rescue team and firefighters performed 24 rescues Monday, pulling people from their vehicles at flooded intersections and from the San Diego and Tijuana rivers.

Hundreds of people were rescued from their flooded homes on Beta Street in San Diego. First responders used inflatable boats and rescue boards to get people to safety, some were even on their roofs waiting to be rescued.

A flash flood warning is in place for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley until midnight. NWS posted a photo Monday afternoon showing water up to the roof of a car in Fashion Valley.

A flood watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. Monday.

The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter at Lincoln High School for anyone impacted by the flooding and storm damage.

Paddleboarders and kayakers have been seen all over the county on the flooded roads. A viewer also sent us a photo of a sink hole that formed in their backyard in Lemon Grove.

The City of Coronado posted on X there is heavy flooding in the area and are urging drivers to stay off the roads. The City says sandbags are available at the Cays Fire station. As you can see in the photos below, Village Elementary School in Coronado has significant flooding through the whole building.

Several San Diego County schools dismissed students early Monday due to the weather:

  • The Monarch School is dismissing students early because of a power outage
  • SDCOE Community Schools 37ECB, SOUL Academy, Bridges, and Escondido Community School are dismissing early
  • Schools in the Jamul-Dulzura School District also closed early due to flooding
  • The Julian Union High School District has cancelled their after-school ASSETs activities due to flooding
  • The Warner Unified School District cancelled transportation for their afterschool program due to flash flood warnings and the potential for rock/mud slides on bus routes.

On Tuesday, schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, the KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy and the Monarch School will be closed, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.

The City of San Diego posted on X the following City streets are closed for safety concerns due to flooding -- San Diego Mission Road between Fairmount & Caminito Yucatan, Ward Road at Camino Del Rio N, and Avenida del Rio between Riverwalk Dr. and Camino de la Reina.

The Port of San Diego reports many areas are beginning to reopen, however these bayfront areas remain closed -- Pacific Hwy between Ash and Broadway, and W. Harbor between Kettner and Pacific Hwy.

FOX 5 has a crew downtown, this is the scene just before noon Monday:

Downtown San Diego flooding (KSWB)
Downtown San Diego flooding (KSWB)

Trolley service in downtown has been suspended at this time due to flooding. All Sprinter service is delayed up to 30 minutes at this time. Some MTS bus routes have been detoured.

According to the City of San Diego, rescues happened all over Monday morning after drivers stalled out on flooded roadways.

There are also reports of major flooding at I-805 and Home Ave. According to the County of San Diego Public Works, Quarry Road is closed between SR-125 and Lakeview Drive, and Country Club Dr. is closed in both directions at Harmony Grove Rd. due to flooding.

Also closed due to flooding according to CHP -- River Walk Drive near Fashion Valley Mall, I-5 exit to Hawthorne to San Diego International Airport, and Eastbound State Route 78 near El Camino Real.

View just before noon of SR-78 in San Diego County

A special weather statement was issued for San Diego, Chula Vista and El Cajon until noon Monday with up to 50 mph wind gusts expected. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning with hail and strong wind was issued for South Bay areas until 11:15 a.m.

In the City of La Mesa, University Avenue is closed from Harbinson Avenue to 69th Street, and Alvarado Road is closed from Guava Avenue to the 70th Street trolley station.

The heavy rain and flooding has also led to several closures of San Diego Parks. Visit their website for the most up to date information.

The entrance to Fiesta Island is also closed at this time. 

San Diego State University announced Canyon Crest Drive between Parking Lot 15 and Aztec Circle was closed due to falling rocks caused by heavy rain and flooding. The roadway reopened Monday just before 5 p.m. SDSU remains open.

The Naval Base San Diego is reporting flooding in multiple areas on the base. Only essential personnel are recommended to enter the base at this time. They are asking everyone else avoid the base until further notice. Those on the base are asked to stay in place until the flooding levels go down.

One of the City of San Diego's inclement weather shelters, Living Water Church of the Nazarene, has some flooding and is not expected to open Monday evening.

Flooding has also impacted the 16th & Newton homeless shelter and the 20th & B Safe Sleeping site. Those people are being moved to the Balboa Park Activity Center and the Municipal Gym.

The San Diego Central Library is closed because of flooding in the parking garage.

Do not drive around road closure signs or barricades. Never drive on flooded streets. Here are some tips to stay prepared in a storm.

As always with rain events in San Diego, a general rain advisory is in effect for coastal waters for 72 hours following rain due to contamination from runoff.

You can call the City's emergency dispatch center at 619-527-7500 to report flooding. Sandbags are available in limited supply and can be picked up at nine recreation centers in the City of San Diego. Sand is not provided.

Check back for live updates.



from KRON4 https://ift.tt/y0ZuKbH


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