Aftermath of the storm: What roads, schools remain closed due to flood damage
SAN DIEGO — Several San Diego roads and schools remain closed after heavy rain caused widespread flooding across the county.
Flash floods were reported all over San Diego County. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Swift Water Rescue team and firefighters performed at least 24 rescues Monday, pulling people from their vehicles at flooded intersections and from the San Diego and Tijuana rivers.
Hundreds of people were rescued from their flooded homes on Beta Street in Southcrest. First responders used inflatable boats and rescue boards to get people to safety, some were even on their roofs waiting to be rescued.
Jan. 22 ranked among the wettest days on record for San Diego. The San Diego Airport received 2.73 inches of rain Monday, making it the fourth wettest day on record, according to NWS.
The County of San Diego on Monday proclaimed a local emergency at the tail end of the destructive storm.
On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency in San Diego and Ventura counties to aid recovery efforts.
Emergency declarations were also made by Mayor Todd Gloria for the City of San Diego and in the City of Coronado.
While Coronado works to fix its sewer and drain systems, a bypass pump has been set up. Residents can now flush toilets and use sinks, but the City is still asking them to not shower, wash laundry, use dishwashers or any other significant source of water.
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A flash flood warning remained in place for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley until midnight Tuesday. NWS posted a photo Monday afternoon showing water up to the roof of a car in Fashion Valley.
What is still closed?
While most of the flooding in the county subsided by Tuesday morning, several closures and other suspensions of local services remain in place.
All river crossings in the Mission Valley area remain closed as the River Valley has reached flood levels. It is unclear when the river levels will go down in those areas.
Several San Diego County schools dismissed students early Monday due to the weather.
On Tuesday, schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, the KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy and the Monarch School were also closed, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.
Some schools will remain closed Wednesday while they continue to deal with flooding.
KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy will stay closed on Wednesday. SOUL Academy experienced severe flooding and classrooms will be temporarily closed for cleaning for several days. Chromebooks, hotspots, and books will be distributed to students and families on Wednesday for online learning. Follow The San Diego Office of Education on X for the most up to date school closures.
Current road closures in the City of San Diego:
San Diego River Crossing Status
Riverwalk between Avenido del Rio and Hazard Center Drive
Avenida del Rio between Riverwalk and Camino de la Reina
Fashion Valley Road between Riverwalk and Camino de la Reina
Camino de la Reina between Avenida del Rio and Camino de la Siesta
The 8000-81000 block of Miramar was closed early Monday evening after a sink hole opened on the road. The road closure could last up to 10 hours, the city said.
The Port of San Diego reports many areas are reopened.
A list of all road closures in the City of San Diego by geographical location can be found here.
Trolley service in downtown was suspended due to flooding, but as of 6:34 p.m. Monday, all Sprinter service is back to regular service. MTS is also back operating with modified service.
According to the Metropolitan Transit System, all Trolley service will be running at a lower frequency than normal on Tuesday due to impacts from the storm. Changes to service are:
Orange Line:
Not in service between 12th & Imperial Transit Center and Courthouse Station (downtown core).
Riders can use Blue Line at America Plaza or 12th & Imperial as an alternative.
Not in service between Euclid Transit Center and Lemon Grove Transit Center due to storm damage.
Buses will be shuttling passengers between impacted stations.
The Green Line and UC San Diego Blue Line will be serving all stations, but riders should anticipate delays. The Orange Line will also remain in service between 12th & Imperial Transit Center (downtown San Diego) and Euclid Transit Center, and Lemon Grove Transit Center and Arnele (end of line).
Flooding also impacted the 16th & Newton homeless shelter and the 20th & B Safe Sleeping site. Those people moved to the Balboa Park Activity Center and the Municipal Gym. It is unclear whether the shelter will reopen on Tuesday.
The Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at Lincoln High School, Bostonia Recreation Center and Coronado Community Center for anyone impacted by the flooding and storm damage. It is unclear whether it will also be open Tuesday night.
In the City of La Mesa, University Avenue is closed from Harbinson Avenue to 69th Street, and Alvarado Road is closed from Guava Avenue to the 70th Street trolley station.
The heavy rain and flooding has also led to closures of several San Diego Parks and the San Diego Central Library. Visit their website for the most up to date information.
In the City of Coronado, the Coronado Police building, the John D. Spreckels Center, golf course and skatepark remain closed following the storm. The Community Center and programs are open.
The Inclement Weather Shelter Program is activated again for Tuesday. Beds are available for Father Joe’s Villages, Living Water Church of the Nazarene and San Diego Rescue Mission for San Diegans experiencing homelessness.
As always with rain events in San Diego, a general rain advisory is in effect for coastal waters for 72 hours following rain due to contamination from runoff.
Flooding from the storm wrecks havoc
From paddleboarders on flooded roads to sinkholes forming in people’s backyards, the impacts of this storm were far-reaching.
The City of Coronado posted on X there was heavy flooding in the area and urged drivers to stay off the roads. City officials had sandbags available at the Cays Fire station.
Outside of homes, several schools saw significant flooding to campus buildings amid the storm, including Village Elementary School in Coronado (pictured below).
The wet weather similarly caused chaos for drivers across the county, with over 30 collisions reported during the morning commute hours.
The deluge even caused semi-truck driver to lose control, crash into a guardrail and fall down an embankment on State Route 15 northbound, located south of Interstate 8. Fuel spilled from the gray International’s gas tank, prompting crews to close a large stretch of the highway to clean the spillage.
The Coast Guard rescued a mariner and his dog from a 30-foot sailing vessel near the Zuniga Jetty in San Diego during the heavy rain and storm conditions. He was able to reach out for help with a low cell phone battery, no onboard radio and no means of propulsion, the Coast Guard reported. The mariner and his dog were evacuated from the ship and taken to safety at Shelter Island.
“All lanes of SR-15 northbound, south of I-8 are currently closed and traffic is being diverted to I-8, to facilitate the recovery of the International and proper clean-up,” Salvador Castro with the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Monday. The road has since been reopened.
The driver of the truck was not injured, and driving under the influence is not suspected, according to authorities.
In Oceanside on State Route 78, the flooding impacted eastbound lanes after the Buena Vista Creek over the El Camino Real before spilling over to the westbound lanes.
Traffic was backed up before the Jefferson Street exit as cars were diverted off El Camino Real in both directions. Cars may have been absent, but that didn’t stop some adventurous paddle boarders from taking to the freeway. By 4 p.m. Monday, the westbound lanes reopened.
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Many roads were closed for safety concerns in and around downtown San Diego. FOX 5 had a crew downtown, this is the scene just before noon Monday:
According to the City of San Diego, rescues happened all over Monday morning after drivers stalled out on flooded roadways.
There were also reports of major flooding at I-805 and Home Ave. According to the County of San Diego Public Works, Quarry Road is closed between SR-125 and Lakeview Drive, and Country Club Dr. is closed in both directions at Harmony Grove Rd. due to flooding.
Eight people rescued in South Bay after trapped amid flooding
San Diego State University announced Canyon Crest Drive between Parking Lot 15 and Aztec Circle was closed due to falling rocks caused by heavy rain and flooding. The roadway reopened Monday just before 5 p.m. SDSU remains open.
Naval Base San Diego also reported flooding in multiple areas on base. Only essential personnel were allowed to enter the base Monday. They are asking everyone else avoid the base until further notice. Those on the base are asked to stay in place until the flooding levels go down.
One of the City of San Diego’s inclement weather shelters, Living Water Church of the Nazarene, had some flooding and did not open Monday evening.
Heaviest rainfall expected in San Diego County during these hours
Should any flooding remain, county officials urge drivers to not drive around road closure signs or barricades. Never drive on flooded streets. Here are some tips to stay prepared in a storm.
You can call the City’s emergency dispatch center at 619-527-7500 to report flooding. Sandbags are available in limited supply and can be picked up at nine recreation centers in the City of San Diego. Sand is not provided.
Check back for live updates.
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