SAN DIEGO RIVER EXPECTED TO REACH FLOOD STAGE TONIGHT

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Flooding and boulders also block roadways in East County; snow impedes travel in mountains

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ward Road in Mission Valley, courtesy of San Diego Lifeguards

January 6, 2016 (San Diego) – With yet another storm set to hit tonight, the San Diego River is expected to reach flood stage (11.5 feet) tonight, cresting in the pre-dawn hours.  The National Weather Service reports the river level has risen five feet in the past 24 hours to nearly 8 feet..  Major roads crossing the river in Mission Valley are closed and underwater including Fashion Valley Road, Avenida del Rio, Camino del Este, Camino de la Reina and Mission Center Road.  The San Diego Mission del Alcala church has flooded, as has the parking lot at Fashion Valley mall.

In East County, snow levels could dip down to 4,000 feet tonight, including the Julian area.  Chains are currently required on Mount Laguna/Sunrise Highway from State Route 79 to Highway 8.  There are also numerous closed or obstructed roadways:

 In Lakeside, a three-foot-wide boulder is obstructing El Monte Road at Lake Jennings Park Road.  Also in Lakeside, Lemon Crest Drive is closed between Riverview St and Winter Gardens Blvd. In Ramona, Ramona Street is closed between H St. and Raymond Ave; Hunter Street is closed form Rowley Ave. to Raymond Ave.

In Rancho San Diego, rock slides have forced closure of  a portion of Willow Glen Road, while flooding has closed Quarry Dip Road in Spring Valley between State Route 125 and Lakeview Road, the County Department of Public Works reports.  In the College area, flooding closed Alvarado Court/Alvarado Road.

Numerous flooded roads and closures are reported in La Mesa this evening including 70th St. and Alvarado Rd., 70th St. and University, Boulevard Dr. and University Ave., Alvarado Road at both Guava Ave. and Comanche Dr., Lake Murray Blvd. and el Paso St., and Jackson Drive at Grossmont Center Drive.

The San Diego Police Department announced it is closing a number of roads across the city due to persistent flooding during Wednesday's powerful El Nino storms.

The heavy rain has also prompted delays and closures on public transportation, 10 News reports. Due to flooding, San Diego MTS has canceled some bus stops, including Route 35 through Midway and Northbound Route 11 at Adams & Kensington, Adams and Biona Drive and Fairmont & Talmadge. The Blue trolley line has also been delayed just north of San Ysidro. Click here for updates.

The North County Transit District said no trains will be using the Sorrento Valley station beginning at 5:30 p.m. until further notice. all COASTER and AMTRAK passengers heading toward Oceanside should expect a two-hour delay due to that track closure. Northbound COASTER 661 has been canceled, according to the NCTD.


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