On Monday, an onslaught of heavy rainfall inundated a substantial expanse of the United States, mere days following a chilling cold wave that had recently swept across the nation, leaving a trail of material destruction in its wake.
On Monday, flash floods wreaked havoc in San Diego, submerging houses and overturning vehicles. The deluge flooded streets, leading to highway closures and road inundation, leaving residents in disbelief.The unusual torrent of heavy rain resulted in the sweeping away of numerous vehicles, causing cars to stack up on top of each other in the southern part of California City.The unexpected torrential rains fell in a span of a few hours, reaching up to three inches of rain, reported the National Weather Service. By early afternoon, the San Diego River was experiencing significant flooding as water levels continued to rise.San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Zee Sanchez reported that deputies rescued residents from their flooded homes in Casa de Oro and Spring Valley. Other residents, wading through waist-high water, escaped with their pets.
Emergency and Severe Weather Alerts for the San Diego Region
After receiving numerous damage reports, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria swiftly declared a state of emergency. He also announced that coordination efforts were underway, with the American Red Cross establishing evacuation centers across the city to provide shelter for displaced residents.
With the San Diego River overflowing, the National Weather Service issued a warning against crossing roads due to unsafe conditions. The city's fire department reported rescuing over 20 individuals from potentially drowning in the Tijuana and San Diego rivers.
Earlier on Monday, the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management issued a warning in areas near Topanga Canyon, citing the potential for debris and mudflows.An avalanche warning was issued through Tuesday morning for the mountainous countryside around the Lake Tahoe area.
This warning coincides with the expectation of a heavy snowstorm, forecasted to deposit over a foot of snow, as reported by the Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee, California.
The storm is anticipated to bring at least 8 inches of snow to the lakeshore and up to 14 inches in the highest elevations, accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 60 mph (95 km/h), starting late on Monday.