Gov. Brown Issues State of Emergency for San Diego County; Final Round of Storm Passes Through San Diego

Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a State of Emergency for San Diego County and other counties across California following yet another day of dangerous winds, bands of rain, heavy snow and colder temperatures.

Brown's declaration will allow the County to help secure funding for communities to respond and recover from severe winter storms. 

In Pine Valley, east of San Diego, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials shut down eastbound Interstate 8 at Crestwood Avenue due to jack-knifed big rig.

One lane of I-8 east of Kitchen Creek remains closed due to a rock slide.

Snow has fallen over Sunrise Highway on the way up to Mount Laguna leaving road conditions dangerous. Snowplows have been up and down the highway attempting to keep lanes clear, but visibility remains hindered by snow, rain and fog.

At San Diego State University (SDSU), authorities responded to a reported structure fire at 5410 Campanile Drive and found a flooded basement, in addition to a possible partial power outage. 

Early Monday morning in Rainbow, in North San Diego County, crews plowed hail off Interstate 15, Caltrans San Diego officials reported. 

A large hole prompted the closure of Alvarado and Live Oak Park Road, according to the North County Fire Protection District. The area will remain closed to traffic for several days due to a partial washout of the road.

By the late morning, trees had topboupled across the County causing road closures, hazards and traffic congestion. One tree fell in San Marcos by the Schoolhouse Way and San Elijo Road, one in Carmel Valley by El Camino Real and Half Mile Drive and one in Fallbrook by De Luz Road and Patton Oaks, according to the authorities.

An on ramp to the southbound Interstate 5 was flooded at Fifth Avenue near Balboa Park on Monday morning, according to CHP.

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One car was struck by a falling tree in Grantville, confirmed the SDPD and SDFD. The tree fell on top of a white minivan, and no one was injured. 

One man died in the North County when he was pulled into a rain-swollen creek in the area of Rainbow, north of State Route 76. 

Officials confirmed a man's body was spotted in the area of 5th street near I-15 and Old Highway 395 Sunday evening. The body could not be extracted from the creek Sunday due to dangerous conditions, but it was retrieved from the creek on Monday morning. Crews also found a car upside down in the creek close to where the body was found.

Witnesses reported a toddler swept away by the rising water as well but dangerous conditions halted the search on Sunday night. Crews continued the search at sunrise on Monday and called it off at around 3:45 p.m. due to high water levels.

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

A flood warning was in effect through 8 p.m. Monday for the Santa Margarita River at Ysidora affecting Camp Pendleton. The river crested at 13.3 feet at 1 a.m. according to the National Weather Service.

Vandegrift Road and Stuart Mesa Road were flooded and Stuart Mesa bridge has been over topped.

Base officials have informed employees to delay the start of work Monday by three hours due to impassable roads and other storm damage.

Check NBC 7’s forecast here.

A winter storm warning was in effect for communities in our 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. 

At San Diego’s beaches, a high surf warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday. The NWS says surf was expected to subside through Tuesday – 6 to 9 feet – with sets to 12 feet. High tide will be at 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. Waves could easily sweep someone off rocks or jetties, the agency warns.

A strong wind warning was in effect 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. 

A large boulder fell on the westbound lanes of Millards Road between Espola Road and State Route 67 Sunday at 6 p.m. City of Poway crews were able to clear the debris from the road and reopen the route four hours later. The boulder was on the shoulder so drivers were cautioned to drive carefully along Poway Road.

There had previously been a couple of rock slides in the same area before the boulder fell on Sunday, according to City of Poway officials. They say there were several rock slides on Friday leading up to the boulder's collapse.

In Poway, there are currently two flashing message boards to warn people about the potential for flooding and rock slides. 

"They expect to have full cleanup of the boulder once the storm clears up," said Rene Carmichael, Poway's Community Outreach Coordinator.

This was the biggest boulder that has fallen in the area recently.

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 NWS reported around 8 p.m. Sunday that in the past six hours, the region from Camp 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.

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

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