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More rain, snow, and flooding possible tonight; free sandbags available throughout East County for residents
January 21, 2010 (San Diego County) 5 p.m. -- High winds and heavy rain ravaged San Diego County today, prompting disruptions in transit service, flights, and closure of numerous roads, schools and businesses in East County and throughout our region.
In East County and San Diego's eastern regions, a power outage prompted closure of Grossmont and El Capitan High Schools. El Cajon's public works responded to dozens of calls of fallen trees. On Highway 67 south of Bradley, San Miguel firefighters rescued a driver pinned inside a vehicle in an accident caused by hydroplaning. State route 78 at Split Mountain Road will be closed all night due to an overflowing wash. Highway 76 from Rincon Ranch to Lake Henshaw is also closed due to flooding. In Escondido, Lake Wohlford Road is blocked by a mudslide. A sig alert has been issued for Oak Knoll Road at Pomerado due to major flooding.
The San Diego River is expected to crest at 12.8 feet tonight, a foot and a half above flood stage. In the Tijuana River Valley, there is concern that a levee may be breeched. Seven people who attempted to cross a swift-flowing river near the border are missing.
Streets in some beach communities had waist-high water this afternoon. High winds prompted Southwest Airlines to halt flights at Lindbergh field for several hours. Train service was disrupted and the Fashion Valley transit station is closed due to flooding.
Travelers should be aware that a tornado watch has been issued for adjacent Imperial and Riverside Counties for this evening.
A winter storm watch remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, where heavy snow and near-zero visibility is forecast.
The bright spot on the horizon is that the severe window should ease by tomorrow night, with sun forecast by Sunday.
Sandbags are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the El Cajon public works department at 1050 Vernon Way, just east of Marshall, where more than 4,300 sandbags had been given out by late today.
The County also has free sand and bags available at these locations; bring your own shovel to fill bags:
- 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Rd., Valley Center
- 16971 Highway 76, Valley Center
- 1587 Highway 78, Julian
- 1364 Tavern Rd., Alpine
- Cal Fire Mt. Woodson Station, 16310 Highway 67, Ramona
- North County Fire Protection, Station Four, 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook
- Dulzura Fire Station, 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura *
* Note: Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler confirmed late today while some locations are running low on sandbags, there are still plenty left at the Dulzura location.
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