Sunday Storm Moves In: Flash Flood Warning, Winter Storm Warning, Strong Winds Persist

Camp Pendleton opens late Monday and the Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed

A flash flood warning has been issued for parts of San Diego County as the most powerful storm in a series of three makes its way into San Diego, bringing heavy rain, destructive winds, possible thunderstorms, inches of snow and possible flooding. 

Kimi Evans’ Morning Forecast for Sunday, January 22, 2017

The powerful storm started moving in Sunday evening, and will continue through to Monday. 

"This is the third and most powerful storm to hit Southern California," NBC 7's Ashley Matthews said. "It will bring periods of heavy rain this afternoon through early evening, with showers continuing through tomorrow morning."

Check NBC 7’s forecast here.

Ashley Matthews’ Weather Forecast for January 21, 2017

According to the NWS, multiple weather warnings are in effect for San Diego County. 

All of San Diego County is under a flash flood watch from 10 a.m. Sunday through Monday evening. The San Diego County coast, mountains, deserts and cities could see flooding as the storm moves in. 

A flood warning has been issued by the NWS for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley from midnight Sunday to midnight Monday. 

A winter storm warning is in effect for the San Diego County mountains, including Julian and Pine Valley. The areas will likely see two to six inches of snow at altitudes between 4,000 and 5,000 feet. Peaks above 5,000 feet altitude will likely see six to 12 inches of snow. 

Those traveling through these areas will want to be careful when driving, as visibility will be near zero at times, according to NWS. 

[G] Rain, Wind Descend on San Diego County

At San Diego’s beaches, a high surf warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday. The NWS says surf is expected to subside Sunday through Tuesday – 6 to 9 feet – with sets to 12 feet. High tide, at 4.8 feet, will be on Sunday at 5:20 a.m.; 5.1 feet at 5:59 a.m. Monday; 5.4 feet at 6:34 a.m. Tuesday.

The NWS says the high surf could lead to coastal flooding and beach erosion, as well as strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions.

Strong winds continue into Monday. The County is under a strong wind warning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; gusts in areas like Borrego Springs, Banning and Desert Hot Springs should reach 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts at 50 miles per hour. The strong winds will be in the County mountains. 

The NWS cautions that the winds will make driving especially difficult and advise the use of extra caution. 

After Friday's heavy rain, some roads and areas remain flooded. As of 9 p.m. Sunday, San Diego Police report these roads are flooded: 

  • 10818 San Diego Mission Rd.
  • Avenida Del Rio at Riverwalk Dr.
  • Fashion Valley Rd. at Riverwalk Dr.
  • La Media at Airway Dr.
  • 1800-2000 block of Saturn Blvd.
  • Bent Ave & Via Vera Cruz between San Marcos Blvd & Discovery St; Foxhall Dr at Craven Rd. in San Marcos
  • Ramona Street between H Street and Raymond Avenue
  • Rice Canyon at Highway 76 and Rainbow Heights 
  • Pine Valley Crossing between Pine Creek Rd and Valley View Trail
The following roads are closed due to fallen trees or debris:
  • 7474 Charmant Dr.
  • 5705 Ferber St.
  • 7900 Camino Huerta
  • 2318 Upas St.
  • 5600 Carroll Canyon Road
  • Reedly Tr. At Sword Way
  • Half Mile Dr. at El Camino Real

 and the 5000 block of Niagra Ave. at Riverwalk because of the high surf. 

The NWS reported around 8 p.m. Sunday that in the past six hours, the region from Cam Pendleton to Palomar Mountain had received between 2 and 3.5 inches of rain.

Additionally, the City of Chula Vista said that because of debris, fallen trees, flooding and more, all City parks would remain closed until further notice. Those parks include:

Rice Canyon, lower Salt Creek Park restroom, Sunset View Park, Area 31 (tennis courts), Terra Nova, Eucalyptus, Hilltop, Lauderbach, and Rohr Parks, Max fields, All Seasons, Chula Vista Community, Harvest, Santa Venetia, Voyager and Greg Rogers Parks.

The Mountain Empire Unified School District will also be closed Monday due to the storms. 

Camp Pendleton will open three hours late Monday, with non-essential personnel asked to not arrive until 10 a.m.

If you have a non-emergency situation to report to the City of Chula Vista, you can call (619) 397-6000.

Monday's commute will be messy, with heavy rain drenching the roads, said Matthews.

NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said Monday's storm should be the wettest of all, given how saturated the ground will be from the two prior storms. 

Conditions are expected to be much drier by Tuesday and Wednesday.

Make sure to download NBC 7’s free news app. Weather alerts, like flood advisories warnings are issued through the app. There is also a local, interactive radar.

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