East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – If you’re  planning a picnic, barbecue or other outdoor activity this Labor Day weekend, be aware there’s a possibility of widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms due to tropical storm Lidia.

Tropical Storm Lidia has already wreaked havoc in Baja, Mexico, bringing flooding in Cabo San Lucas and closing airports at Cabo and La Paz. Some 20,000 tourists and thousands of residents have been evacuated to shelters there.

By Miriam Raftery

Sources: National Weather Service and San Diego County News Center

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) -- A dangerous heat wave will continue the rest of this week across all of San Diego County, with isolated thunderstorms through Labor Day weekend also forecast, the National Weather Service advised today.  The County of San Diego also issued an alert urging residents to take precautions during the extreme heat.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: East County resident Linda Niman stripped down and cooled off with a free-spirited "rain dance" that piqued interest on social media.  

August 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – A monsoonal storm brought torrential rain, hail, lightning strikes and flooding to portions of San Diego County over the past two days.

Residents also sweltered in high heat coupled with high humidity  The National Weather Service San Diego office posted on Facebook earlier today,“Current Dewpoint at the office is 73F degrees, oppressive!"

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)   -- The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch Wednesday morning for San Diego’s inland region that includes the East County communities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Pine Valley and Julian as well as other inland areas of Escondido, Poway and San Marcos. 

The flood watch is in effect through tonight, with the threat of flash flooding and debris flows greatest in areas burned bare by brush fires. A deluge could bring over an inch an hour to some areas.

By Miriam Raftery

July 30, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego County will experience monsoonal moisture starting Monday through at least Friday, with high heat, afternoon and evening thunderstorms and rain possible each day, especially over the mountains and deserts, though dangerous conditions are also forecast along the coast.

East County News Service

July 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Hot weather and possible thunderstorms are forecast for this weekend in our inland region, mainly in the mountains during afternoons and early evenings.  “Moisture will be limited, so at this time, any flash flood threat looks minimal, but dry lightning strikes may pose a wildfire threat,” the forecast from the National Weather Service in San Diego states, adding that heat watches, warnings or advisories may be issued in the valleys, mountains and deserts later this week.

By Miriam Raftery

June 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Tuesday’s blistering heat wave set a new county record. In Ocotillo Wells, the temperature reached 124 degrees—the hottest temperature ever recorded in San Diego County, according to Noel Isla with the National Weather Service.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - With high temperatures expected to hover around 120 degrees in eastern San Diego County desert areas through the middle of next week, County health officials are reminding the public to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and pay extra attention to children, elderly and pets.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 8, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - With a hotter than normal summer season expected, it’s important to have a place for seniors to stay cool. That’s where Cool Zones come in.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 21, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - So, spring has arrived — and the rains are coming back! The National Weather Service is predicting rain this week for San Diego County, possibly heavy Wednesday.

Which means it’s also a good time to check to see if you need any free sand and/or bags to help protect your home and property from the weather.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Flooded roadway, courtesy National Weather Service

March 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. The dry and warm weather pattern that has held for the last week will come to an end early next week as a series of storms arrive along the California Coast, the National Weather Service predicts.

Report rock slides, boulders or other dangerous road conditions to the County Operations Emegency Call Center (858)565-5262. Help save lives!

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Christina Dahners-Johnson:  Seasonal creek behind Lyons Valley Trading Post in Jamul had been dry for at least seven years before this storm.

February 27, 2017 (San Diego) – Flooding is wreaking havoc on rural roads and highways countywide.  In Mission Valley, the San Diego River has water cresting among the top 10 levels on record, with the ballfield at Petco Park and some parking garages currently submerged.

George Barnett, a member of the Alpine Community Planning Group, posted in the Ranter’s Roost forum, “ It’s raining like hell in Alpine…Viejas Creek is way outside   its normal channel and Via Viejas into the old ranch area is closed with the dam well over-flowing.  To my eye, on a dark and cloudy day, more water is coming down the creek than I recall seeing in maybe 10 years.”

Source: CAL FIRE

February 16, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - With the arrival of another powerful winter storm on Friday February 17TH San Diego County Fire (SDCF) is once again taking steps to ensure an aggressive response to weather related incidents.  Although rain is the focus of this week’s storm, high winds are also expected and could potentially bring the threat of downed trees.  

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2017 (San Diego) – It’s tough to top the extreme storms that hit our region in January. But this weekend, the National Weather Service warns that storm conditions starting Thursday night could be as severe as the January 20^th downpour—with additional hazards including a tornado that could strike coastal or inland San Diego County on Saturday.

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

Residents asked to report all storm damage: County has not reached level yet to get help for individuals or businesses

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday, due to damage caused by the severe winter storms that hit the region late last month.