By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2023 (Potrero) – A 300-year-old old oak tree toppled onto the porch of the former Potrero Café, next door to the historic Potrero Store, which was built in 1883 and first operated by Joseph and Damond Thing. The store remains open.

“The restaurant’s been closed for six years,” Michael Streenan, owner of the property, told East County Magazine. The tree damaged two exterior porches and an asphalt parking lot, but fortunately the buildings on the property are intact, he said.

“No one was injured when the tree fell. “Nobody even heard it come down. We just came out and saw it,” says Ryan Streenan, Michael’s son.  Neither of the Streenans knows how old the café building is, though Ryan said it may have been a house for former owners of the store.

The most likely cause of the massive tree’s collapse is the recent heavy rainfalls that have left the ground saturated.  “I guarantee you we’ve had 10 inches here,” says Jan Hedlun, a member of the Potrero community planning group. “I’ve been stranded three times on my own driveway because the water’s been 15 inches deep.  I had one oak tree branch break and fall; another tree had a branch come down.”

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Snow at Santa Ysabel

March 3, 2023 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has released precipitation totals for the three days ending March 2.  Residents have been left snowed in at some San Bernadino mountain towns, with Bear Mountain receiving nearly 5 feet of snow and snow resorts such as Big Bear and Snow Valley around 40 inches.  Here in San Diego County, Palomar Mountain got another 20 inches of snow and Mount Laguna another 10 inches, atop multiple feet of snow already on the ground, while Julian got 4 more inches.

Across the country, storms the past three days also brought substantial rain. Lake Henshaw had 3.85 inches and Santa Ysabel had 2.21 inches. El Cajon, La Mesa, and Santee had between 1 and 2 inches, while Borrego’s Palm Canyon in the desert got .84 of an inch.

The storm also brought hail to much of the region, from coastal areas such as Encinitas, El Cajon and La Mesa.

Extreme weather also caused some power outages, with some Borrego Springs residents left in the dark for nearly a full day.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2023 (Santa Ysabel)-- The weekend storm brough snow to unusually low levels in San Diego County's mountains. With  popular destinations such as Julian, Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna blocked except to residents and chains required in the morning, followed by traffic jams when some highways later opened, ECM's editor and photographer headed to Santa Ysabel instead.

Visitors pulled off alongside the highway were enjoying building a snowman and tossing snowballs, with dogs frolicking in the snow. Several motorists paused to pose for pictures with horses standing just behind a barbed wire fence.

Blue skies,puffy clouds and sunbeams warming the terrain completed this idyllic scene.

East County News Service

February 24, 2023 (San Diego) --  The City of San Diego today announced that due to weather conditions and “an abundance of caution,” it has closed Mission Trails Regional Park, as well as Los Penasquitos Preserve, Chollas Lake and Maple Canyon parks.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Snow in Julian today, courtesy of San Diego Sheriff Media Relations unit

February 23, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Treacherous. Severe. Really dangerous conditions. Those are terms used by National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Tardy in a webinar today to describe  a slow-moving atmospheric river, coupled with high winds and frigid temperatures from an arctic jet stream, swooping into San Diego County Friday and Saturday.

The storm could dump a potentially unprecedented three to five feet of snow at elevations above 4,000 feet in some parts of Southern California, with another foot and a half forecast on Mt. Laguna atop considerable snow that's already fallen.  Also forecast are debris flows in areas not normally subject to them as snow melts. Blowing and drifting snow will impact major southern California highways, including highway 78 and the eastern portions of Interstate-8 in San Diego County.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 22, 2023 (San Diego) -- Rain, strong winds and cold temperatures predicted to bring significant snow to local mountains as low as 2,000 feet began Tuesday evening and are forecast to continue through Saturday. The winds will additionally bring high surf to beaches, so everyone should take precautions if on the water.

County Emergency Services and Public Works road crews recommend everyone stay alert and take precautions at home and on the roads during the atmospheric river event.

The National Weather Service winter storm systems forecast is available and can be checked for updates. Damaging winds are expected through the week and could result in tree damage or falling trees or limbs. Driving, particularly if you are driving a high-profile vehicle, is predicted to be hazardous at times.

Avoid driving in heavy rain conditions but if the trip is necessary, follow these tips:

Source: San Diego County Office of Emergency Services

February 13, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for the San Diego County mountains, including Pine Valley and Julian, in effect this evening at 10 p[.m. until tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m.

• Severe weather conditions are expected, including heavy snow.
• Damage to trees and power lines is possible.
• If you must travel, plan on difficult travel conditions.
• Keep an extra flashlight, blanket, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The National Weather Service has also issued a High Wind Warning for the San Diego County mountains and deserts from 2/13/2023, at 10 p.m. to Tuesday 2/14/2023, at 10 p.m. PST.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 18, 2023 (San Diego) - The County Office of Emergency Services is asking for your help to estimate the flooding and rain damage in our region caused by the recent series of storms.

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Flood watches and warnings are in effect across San Diego County this morning.

Multiple roadways across our region are flooded, with others blocked by mudslides, rocks and debris:

• Wildcat Canyon Rd. in Lakeside is blocked by a mudslide/rockslide in the 3000 block. Avoid area.
• Lower Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul is flooded at the dip. Do not attempt to cross.
• Highway 94 from 188 to Barrett lake road was closed due to a large bolder blocking both lanes. It's now reopened at 188, with opening at Barrett and near Otay Lakes pending.
• A boulder and debris are blocking Fuerte Drive at Lemon Ave. on Mt. Helix.
• Rock slides are blocking State Route 78 at Wynola Rd. near Julian.
• Boulders are across the roadway at State Route 78 and Chihuhua Rd. near Warner Springs.
• A wind advisory has been issued on I-8 east of Tavern Rd. in Alpine to the Imperial County line.
• The National Weather Service warns to avoid the San Diego River area through Mission Valley and Fashion Valley, which surpassed flood stage this morning as 12.8 feet and is forecast to reach 13.2 feet this afternoon. Roads to avoid include Fashion Valley Rd., Avenida Del Rio, Camio Del Este, Camino Del La Reina and Mission Center Rd. Fashion Valley transit center is closed.
• A swiftwater rescue was conducted this morning along Otay Lakes Rd. due to flooding.
  

Source: Caltrans

January 4, 2023 (Sacramento) -- In response to the oncoming powerful storm, this morning Caltrans activated approximately 1,200 electronic highway signs statewide to display urgent safety messaging. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. tonight due to a winter storm bringing rain across the county, with snow forecast above 5,500 feet. Ice, snow and fog could make travel difficult at higher elevations. Gusty winds are also forecast.

Stormy weather will continue for most of the week. The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers each day, with rain likely on Monday night, Tuesday night, and Wednesday night.  Be careful on rain-slicked roads and if traveling at higher mountain elevations, carry chains.

East County News Service

December 17, 2022 (Alpine) – Rescued tigers at the Lions Tigers & Bears big cat and bear sanctuary in Alpine enjoyed last week’s snowfall.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated 3 p.m. with new outage information

November 24, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Gusty winds howled across East County’s mountains and rural region last night and early today, Thanksgiving morning.  Strong winds are forecast to continue through Friday.

The National Weather Service reports peak gusts as high as 89 miles per hour on Sill Hill near Descanso and 75 mph on Cuyamaca Peak in San Diego’s inland region between 10 p.m. last night and 10 a.m. today. Many other local areas had strong winds as well.

SDG&E reports outages in Campo, Dulzura, and Potrero with power restoration expected around 6 p.m. due to a foreign object hitting a power line, putting a damper on Thanksgiving cooking. In Granite Hills/Bostonia areas of El Cajon, outages have left people without power until an estimated 6 p.m. power restoration time. Two outages in the Julian, Wynola, Pine Hills and Santa Ysabel areas is due to have power restored around 5:30 p.m. Outages in East County have a 4 p.m. projected power restoration time. An earlier outage in Live Oak Springs, Boulevard and Jacumba, has been restored. Find out the latest outage info at to the SDG&E outage map.  

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service is forecasting strong Santa Ana winds Tuesday night through Wednesday in San Diego County’s mountains and deserts, along with dry conditions and below average temperatures.

Strong winds will produce difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles. Loose or unsecured objects may be blown away. On Wednesday, peak gusts of 40-60 miles per hour are forecast, with isolated gusts up to 70 mph in windy passes and canyons.

By Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Cooler weather is coming, with a chance of rain showers and snow showers in San Diego’s mountain areas from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. Snow could fall to 4500 feet in elevation by Thursday, which could include Julian, Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna.