Whether an unwanted present or exactly what was on the wishlist this Christmas, San Diego County was bracing for the gift of wet weather for the holiday.
An atmospheric river storm was expected to bring more than two inches of rain to San Diego County before the weekend, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Christmas Eve, NBC 7 meteorologists said.
“This is a very active weather pattern,” NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen said.
A flood watch was issued for all of San Diego County from 4 a.m. Wednesday until 1 a.m. Thursday, the NWS said. A wind advisory was also issued for San Diego’s coast and valleys on Christmas Eve.
While rain may continue through Friday, showers will become more isolated and less powerful.
“For Christmas Day… we’re still looking at showers around, and then we’ll see some more rain on Friday, and then we finally dry out for the weekend,” Parveen said.
Flood risk
Atmospheric rivers are massive plumes of moisture carried across the sky that can dump heavy rains or snow over land.
The NWS said that during the storm’s most brutal, rainfall rates could be between a half-inch to an inch per hour for San Diego County.
Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying, flood-prone locations. People were urged to avoid driving, riding or walking through flooded waters.
“Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop,” the NWS said.
San Diego prepares
The city of San Diego were taking their own measures to prepare for the rain, and encouraged residents to do the same.
On Monday, the city of San Diego’s stormwater department cleaned storm drains and inlets with a history of debris buildup, along with sweeping streets, the city said. More than 46,000 storm drains will be monitored during the storm, including the Chollas Creek area, which saw heavy flooding and property damage in the winter storms of January 2024.
The city said residents can reduce the risk of flooding near their homes and properties by taking a few simple steps:
- Sweep and pick up trash, leaves, grass clippings and other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near your home
- Keep the lids securely closed on trash and recycle bins when placing them out on the street for collection
- Place each bin 2 to 3 feet away from the curb so as not to impede stormwater
- Turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff
- Do not open or lift manhole covers in the event of street flooding
- Use sandbags, if needed. A list of locations is here.
San Diegans can report storm-related issues, such as flooding or downed trees, by using the Get It Done app or calling 619-527-7500. If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Travel impacts
On the roads, AAA of Southern California projects a record-breaking amount of travelers. More than 8.9 million people are anticipated to drive at least 50 miles from home, a 2.7% increase over 2024, AAA said.
The California Highway Patrol recommends drivers in the rain should keep their headlights on, avoid driving through flooded areas and slow down.
The agency says the number of people who call the CHP doubles when it rains because drivers are going too fast. CHP Officer Salvador Castro provided these words of wisdom during a previous storm:
“We tell people that when it’s raining, 65 is not the ideal speed for driving in the rain. Sixty-five [mph] is for a perfect San Diego day, which is 95% of the time.”
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
