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.
  

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

January 9, 2018 (9:45 a.m.) There are multiple hazards to report this morning per the CHP on East County roadways, including:

• Lemoncrest in Lakeside is closed  from Wintergarden Blvd. to Riverview due to flooding in the 12028 block.
• A high-wind advisory is in effect for I-8 east of Alpine and high-profile vehicles are not advised to travel here.
• Mapleview at Pine in Lakeside is also flooded.
• Debris is reported on I-8 west of the Sweetwater bridge in spring Valley.
• In Ramona, there is roadway flooding at Hanson Lane and Wilson
• A rockslide has been reported on Japatul Road with large boulders the size of deer; CHP is working to determine exact location of this slide called in.
• A boulder half the size of a tire is reported in the left lane of Arnold Way at Tavern Road in Alpine.
• A multi-car accident has occurred on I-8 west at Fletcher Parkway.
  

East County News Service

January 9, 2016 (San Diego)—San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Ernie Dronenburg wishes to advise all property owners whose property was damaged or destroyed during the recent flooding that property tax relief is available. This tax relief program requires the reassessment of the property to reflect its damaged condition.

The reduced value will remain in effect until such time as the property is rebuilt or repaired. More importantly, after the property is rebuilt or repaired, the owners can retain their previous taxable value if the property is rebuilt in a like or similar manner. This means that the property tax assessment will not increase beyond what it was prior to the flooding.

East County News Service

Jaunary 7, 2016 (Jamul) --Honey Springs Road will be shut down all night due to power lines downed by vehicle that struck a power pole this evening, while awaiting SDG&E repairs, the CHP website indicates. A SIG Alert has been issued.

Highway 94 had substantial flooding this afternoon, reaching 30 feet wide in places and up to two feet deep, by some estimates..

Ronnie Durfee sent in video including this still shot of the dip between Rancho Jamul and Melody Lane.

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2016 (City Heights) – Floodwaters from tonight’s deluge have left four apartments underwater, also submerging vehicles at 48^th and El Cajon Blvd. in City Heights.

Resident Jonathan Goetz says that “at least six feet of water”  have inundated downstairs units. “Dude, my car is underwater!” he posted on his Facebook page. 

His photos document the drama in real life as a woman rescues her dog, Cha-Cha, cradling her pet in her arms. Another man searched frantically for his missing chihuahua  Nacho, hip-high in the swiftly rising floodwaters. Goetz reports that Nacho was found dead in a bedroom.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery
December 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)4:30 p.m.-- In Blossom Valley, one property owner found a creative place to shelter her horses during the storm.

“My horses were up to their knees this morning, so the net came down and the hay went in,” said Catherine Sacks in an e-mail sent to East County Magazine, along with the photo at left. “Tennis anyone?”

On Fletcher Parkway, a mud slide is currently blocking two lanes on the hill heading east down to El Cajon. Meanwhile in Alpine, Via Viejas Road is flooding as Viejas Creek has over-flowed a small dam at the Little Lake in Palo Verde Ranch, reports resident George Barnett.