San Diego, a city known for its relatively dry weather, was in for a surprise when a powerful Pacific front unleashed heavy rain, making it the wettest January day on record. The city, accustomed to winter storms that often miss, experienced a deluge that left residents and officials stunned.
Unusual Pacific Storm Spell
San Diego had already weathered two Pacific storms over the weekend, with the first skirting the area and the second bringing only a third of an inch of warm rain. The third storm, however, brought an unexpected wallop and was forecasted to be stronger than the previous two. The National Weather Service confirmed that San Diego was hit with a record-breaking amount of rainfall.
Flooding Woes Extend to Tijuana
The impact of the storm wasn’t limited to San Diego alone. Tijuana and other parts of northern Baja California experienced significant flooding. In a daring rescue operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and San Diego Fire Department rescuers saved eight migrants who were endangered by floodwaters in the Tijuana River Valley on the U.S. side. The situation was dire, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Citywide Emergency and Local Rescue Operations
Flooding wreaked havoc in various neighborhoods across San Diego. In the Southcrest neighborhood, southeast of downtown, firefighters had to rescue residents from their apartment complexes as the water levels rapidly rose. Similarly, Navy Base San Diego reported flooding, leading to the closure of several streets and even Interstate 15. Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency due to the heavy rainfall and urged residents and visitors to stay off the roads.
A Landscape Transformed
The storm transformed San Diego’s familiar landscapes. Mission Valley, usually a bustling area, became impassable due to flooded roads. Even Ocean Beach saw beachgoers enjoying a swim without needing to reach the ocean. State Route 78 to the east of Oceanside was closed as floodwaters submerged the lanes. Weather officials described the storm as an atmospheric river, drawing moisture from the Pacific and creating extraordinary conditions.
Understanding the Storm’s Impact
The storm’s intensity was reminiscent of classic El Niño years, such as 1983 and 1998, which also brought substantial flooding and other extreme weather conditions to Southern California. Meteorologist Brandt Maxwell explained that the storm’s power came from the combination of the strong atmospheric river and the collision of warm and cold air masses. Although strong winds were absent, the storm delivered enough rain to bring San Diego’s season-to-date precipitation just above the normal average.
Looking Ahead
The rainy season in Southern California still has several months remaining, and more rain is needed to meet average annual expectations. However, it is uncommon for significant rainfall to occur beyond March. While there may not be another storm of this magnitude in the immediate future, it is essential for the region to experience additional rainy days to continue on a normal or above-normal precipitation track. Unfortunately, meteorologists do not foresee many such opportunities in the coming weeks.
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Source: NBC News