Winds Whip San Diego in Deadly Storm

Downtown, Coronado, Del Mar and Mission Beach residents experienced gusts around 40 mph

A fast-moving and powerful winter storm swept San Diego County, with winds powerful enough to down trees and utility poles and make the Monday morning commute potentially dangerous.

The El Nino-fueled storm that arrived around noon Sunday caused damage to many neighborhoods from Oceanside to the U.S.-Mexico border and one death in Pacific Beach.

A woman was killed while driving in her car near Crown Point when a massive oak tree measuring eight-feet in diameter fell across the roadway and crushed several cars.

Downtown San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Mission Beach residents experienced gusts around 40 mph.

Several boats in the San Diego Bay broke loose from their moorings overnight, turned over or crashed into the rocks, according to Harbor Police.

A fallen tree blocked southbound lanes of Pomerado Road near Oaks North Golf Course early Monday. No damage or injuries were reported.

A wind advisory was in effect until 6 p.m. for the coast and valleys in San Diego County.

Winds pushed a tree at Coral Bay Apartments on Clairemont Drive and with it a gas meter was pulled from the complex. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials evacuated several units while utility crews fixed the leak. No one was injured.

San Diego Gas and Electric crews worked overnight trying to restore power to thousands of customers.

At one point Sunday, 60,000 customers lost service according to SDG&E officials.

While many people are talking about the powerful winds, there is a 20 percent chance of rain Monday morning.

“Our coastline didn’t receive as much rain as some of our inland valleys,” said NBC 7 Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh.

Fallbrook and Poway recorded more than an inch of rain, Kodesh said.

Several school districts canceled class due to snow and wind. They include Julian Union Elementary School District, Julian Union High School District, Mountain Empire School District and Spencer Valley School District.
 

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