San Diego County is bracing for light rain this weekend following significant flooding that occurred on New Year’s Day. Heavy rainfall led to multiple emergencies across the region, prompting rescue operations and public safety warnings. According to the National Weather Service, a series of weak but colder weather systems will continue to bring chances of light to moderate showers through the middle of next week.
While the rain is expected to clear by Wednesday, high temperatures will remain in the 60s throughout the week. A beach hazards statement is currently in effect at San Diego County beaches, with minor tidal overflow and local beach flooding anticipated until Sunday morning.
On January 1, the flooding created serious challenges for local authorities. Fire-rescue personnel were called to assist a woman who was swept into a creek by the rapidly rising waters flowing into Lake Hodges in Escondido. The incident began when a couple attempted to cross a low-water area near the lake. By 08:10 a.m., they found the area flooded, and while trying to navigate the rushing water on foot, both were swept away.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office reported that the male victim managed to reach shore, while his wife was carried downstream. He sought help from a nearby residence, leading to a coordinated rescue operation involving deputies, personnel from Cal Fire San Diego, and local fire agencies. The woman was later located and transported to a hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.
In a separate incident on the same day, a man got trapped under a bridge in Mission Valley due to rising water levels in the San Diego River. Lifeguards and fire crews were dispatched at 11:16 a.m. to assist him. After being rescued from waist-high water, he was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The flooding in Mission Valley was particularly severe, with significant impacts reported at the Fashion Valley mall, where lifeguards rescued an adult and a child trapped in their vehicle. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokeswoman Candace Hadley described the flooding as resembling “a river,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation as the area experienced “very significant flooding.”
Public transportation faced disruptions as trolley service in downtown San Diego was suspended for several hours due to the flooding. In response to the inclement weather, San Diego activated its shelter program for vulnerable populations, providing additional shelter capacity at various locations including Living Water Church of the Nazarene and Father Joe’s Villages.
The inclement weather shelter program operates from November through March, activated under specific conditions such as temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit combined with a 40% chance of rain, or when temperatures drop below 45 degrees. Shelters are also opened during exceptional weather events, such as when more than an inch of rain falls within 24 hours.
Authorities continue to advise the public to avoid flooded areas. “Just six inches of fast-moving water is enough to put your life at risk. Remember, turn around, don’t drown,” officials from the sheriff’s office warned.
As the region deals with the aftermath of the flooding, residents are urged to stay informed about weather conditions and to exercise caution when navigating potentially hazardous areas.
