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By Miriam Raftery
February 5, 2024 (San Diego)—A powerful storm fueled by a “Pineapple Express” atmospheric river is pummeling much of California and is slated to reach San Diego County later today. The Governor has declared an emergency in eight counties including San Diego to support storm response and recovery efforts. A flood watch for San Diego County issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect starting at 4 p.m. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has issued evacuation warnings for Encanto, Southcrest Mountain View--east San Diego communities along the flood plain.
A new city-run local assistance center for flood victims at the Mountain View Community Center is closed today due to the severe weather and will reopen when weather permits. For updates in the city of San Diego, visit http://sandiego.gov/storm . For storm recovery in the County, visit https://www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/recovery.html.
Neither the County nor any East County cities have yet issued evacuation warnings, though residents in low-lying areas especially those that previously flooded should stay vigilant as the heaviest rains and winds hit our region late today, tonight and tomorrow.
The storm is expected to ease somewhat before reaching San Diego, but could drop 1.5 to 2.5 inches locally today and tomorrow.. Elsewhere in California, mudslides are occurring in the Hollywood Hills. Pasadena could get up to 10 inches of rain. The National Weather Service reports that “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flooding” could occur in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernadino counties. Wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour have been recorded in some California areas and a hurricane-force wind warning has been issued for Big Sur and surrounding areas.
Cal Fire posted this plea for all residents in the path of the storm. ”Please protect your life and that of first responders who may have to rescue you. Don’t cross road closures, and don’t drive through flooded roadways. Turn around,don’t drown.
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