Forecasters canceled the tropical storm watch for San Diego County as Post-Tropical Cyclone Rachel moved north Sunday morning, but officials said the storm’s dangers have not completely ended.
A flood watch remained in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday, and a coastal flood warning remained in effect until 3 p.m., followed by a coastal flood advisory through Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
“Dangerous surf and rip currents continue to pose risks along San Diego beaches,” the NWS said. “Please continue to take flooding and coastal hazards seriously.”
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department remained in a Water Rescue Alert 2 status, which means the department is at an elevated readiness level for potential flooding and swift-water emergencies, typically triggered by rainfall totals in the region.
Alert 2 means fire-rescue resources take additional precautions and prepare for possible water rescues and swift-water rescue teams are staged near areas vulnerable to flooding, according to the SDFRD. In addition, fire engine and truck crews conduct visual checks of known flood-risk locations in their districts, as personnel and specialized equipment are positioned to respond more quickly if conditions worsen.
A water rescue in southeast San Diego began at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday and lasted until about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the SDFRD. A man was stuck in a storm drain filled with fast-moving water near 33rd Street and Imperial Avenue and could not get himself out, SDFRD spokesman Matt Hoffman told City News Service.
The Water Rescue 3 dispatch sent 31 personnel to the scene including a division chief, a battalion chief, two lifeguard swift water rescue teams, four fire engines, one truck, one rescue unit and a medic.
Rescuers used a rope system to bring the man to safety, Hoffman said.
Firefighters were kept busy overnight, responding to 17 calls of wires down, five transformer fires and 53 traffic collisions, mostly on freeways, according to Hoffman.
During Saturday night’s storm, crews from Heartland Fire SDFRD, San Diego Lifeguards, the CHP Border Division, La Mesa Police and an ambulance from American Medical Response responded to a report of a victim trapped in rapidly rising stormwater in a culvert near 70th Street and Alvarado Road in La Mesa behind the Trolley stop.
“An extensive rescue operation was undertaken, and the victim was successfully extracted. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition,” Heartland Fire posted on Instagram.
The California Highway Patrol dispatch log indicates several spinouts, fender benders and flooded highways, mudslides throughout the county Sunday, and one multi-vehicle fatality on Interstate 8 in Grantville on Saturday.
CHP and Caltrans issued a wind advisory on I-8 from Alpine to Ocotillo in East County on Saturday that remains in effect until 5 a.m. Monday, with gusts up to 60 mph expected. The NWS warns that these winds can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles such as RVs, vans, and trucks.
The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality issued a general rain advisory Sunday for all coastal beaches and bays due to recent rainfall.
San Diegans deal with the lingering impacts of Rachel, which brought rain and wind overnight into the morning. NBC 7’s M.G. Perez has the latest.
“Beachgoers are advised that rain brings urban runoff, which can cause bacteria levels to rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets, and may cause illness,” the DEHQ said in a statement. “Water contact such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided during rain and for 72 hours following the rain even.”
The Coronado Police Department advised Sunday regarding an extended road closure.
“Due to the threat of flooding, the intersection of Pomona Avenue, Glorietta Boulevard, and Tenth Street, often referred to as Five Points, has been closed to vehicle traffic,” the CPD said. “This is being done due to the approaching storm, combined with the expected tides and high surf.”
The closure was expected to remain in effect until Monday morning and motorists were advise to plan an alternate route around that area.
“Never drive your vehicle around the barricades or through standing water, as flood waters could have damaged the roadway that is not visible,” the CPD said.
Those seeking shelter can visit Father Joe’s Villages Joan Kroc Center, where up to 61 adult individuals and an additional 11 beds for families with minor children and/or single women will be available Sunday night. Check- in begins at 4 p.m. and goes throughout the night until full. Check-out is at 5 a.m. at 1501 Imperial Ave.
Living Water Church of the Nazarene can accommodate up to 28 adult individuals, with on-site reservations from 1 to 4 p.m. Check-in begins at 8 p.m. for clients with reservations and check-out is at 6:30 a.m. at 1550 Market St.
Rain was expected to clear out of San Diego County on Monday, with temperatures gradually rising by mid-week leading to a warm weekend.