A second atmospheric river in two weeks inundated already-saturated San Diego County in early February, causing more flooding in low-lying and coastal areas with more winter weather in the forecast. There was even a tornado warning on Feb. 6 for La Mesa, Chula Vista, and other South Bay areas.

But the National Weather Service said this most recent Feb. 5-7 storm was qualitatively different than the historic Jan. 22 storm, the fifth wettest day in San Diego since 1850, that saw rainfall rates in some areas approaching a half-inch per hour.

“The atmospheric river had pushed south of our area by late last night (Feb. 5) and we’re now dealing with its parent low-pressure system,” said San Diego meteorologist Elizabeth Adams. “This (February) storm was a little different in that it was really on a smaller scale, though very high-impact in coastal areas. This storm had more of a widespread impact from the atmospheric river, was of longer duration with more moderate rainfall.”

By mid-morning on Feb. 6, 1.64 inches of rain had fallen on Point Loma. Adams pointed out more rain was expected Feb. 7-9, with dry conditions prevailing for much of Feb. 12-17. She added more inclement weather is likely again on Feb. 18-20.

This second atmospheric river posted some “pretty respectable” rainfall amounts with the heaviest totals, about 3 to 5 inches, falling in North County, said Adams.

Though these early February storms were decidedly less intense than the historic Jan. 22 rain event, they nonetheless could “still lead to flooding concerns,” said Adams adding, “Because we’re in the middle of it (storms) it’s hard to say right now whether these later storms will be worse or better.”

Asked if more atmospheric rivers could strike San Diego this winter, the forecaster replied, “The second half of February we could be getting more storm patterns, so winter isn’t over yet.”

Concerning the likelihood of future atmospheric rivers, Adams said: “With increasing temperatures across the Earth that means the atmosphere can hold more moisture increasing the potential for atmospheric rivers and more extreme weather than we saw a few decades ago.”

Noting these most recent atmospheric rivers had come in “quick succession,” Adams urged people to “make sure and pay attention” to the weather and respect emergency alerts for “weather and flood warnings” distributed via enabled iPhones.

FIRST-HAND OB STORM TOUR

Trever Richardson, a fourth-generation Ocean Beach resident, weighed in on the latest round of winter storms pointing out he has personally seen his share of flooding over the years, including the Lamborghini submerged in the parking garage on Abbott in 2015.

“And last week I saw the renters crying as they were stranded in that very same building with an underground parking structure turned watery moat,” Richardson said.

He added: “As this (latest) winter storm approached, I lingered around Abbott and Santa Monica waiting for the deluge of water. Fortunately, the rainfall never reached the torrential threshold to cause flooding like we saw (in January). I then proceeded to follow the source of the flow down Bacon, east on Del Monte, and then back north up Cable. Cable was more of the same. Huge flowing puddles stretch nearly across the street, every intersection full of flowing water from Narragansett to Lotus.

“I concluded the tour of my neighborhood by enjoying the beautiful bone-dry traffic circle on West Point Loma and Bacon. Voltaire, being further out on the flat alluvial plane and further from the slope of the hill that is Point Loma, does not feel a great deal of the same pooling effects as the funnel of the rest of OB.”

In other storm-related matters:

– “It’s been an incredibly difficult two weeks for thousands of San Diegans dealing with the impacts of the historic storm on Jan. 22, and the City has been working around the clock to help ease their burden and prevent more flooding to the extent possible with this winter’s unusually high volume of rain,” said Mayor Todd Gloria in his weekly newsletter.

“We’ve been able to clear several miles of storm channels clogged by debris that flowed downstream during the storm. City crews have picked up more than 9,000 tons of debris and discarded items from flooded homes, cleared streets of mud, and the San Diego Housing Commission is helping place residents who are unsafe in their homes into local hotels.”

“To support our efforts, my administration brought to the City Council a resolution requesting the governor ask the president to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for the Jan. 22 storms, which would unlock funding and assistance for impacted residents,” continued Gloria. “We also provided an update to the council and public on our storm-recovery and flood-prevention efforts and asked for authorization of $10 million in spending to support them. A federal disaster declaration could help us recoup some of those funds and qualify for more assistance.”

– With more rain forecast, City officials including Police Chief David Nisleit and San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell held a press conference on Feb. 6 at Santa Clara Recreation Center in Mission Beach to provide an update on continuing storm conditions.

– The City temporarily moved homeless residents out of its 20th and B streets safe campsite and into Golden Hall “out of an abundance of caution” due to forecasted rain. After previously evacuating the site during the Jan. 22 downpour, the City says it has worked to fortify both of its Balboa Park safe sleeping sites.

– A newly acquired City-owned hotel, Ramada by Wyndham at 3747 Midway Drive in the Midway District, was providing short-term emergency shelter for up to 59 households displaced by storms and flooding.

The San Diego Housing Commission recently completed its purchase of the former Ramada to re-purpose it as housing under the state’s Homekey grant program. As of this past weekend, 30 households had moved into the hotel property.

– County officials offered the following emergency weather tips: Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through flood waters; register your cell phone alertsandiego.org to receive alerts and updates on storm
conditions; evacuate immediately if told to evacuate or if you feel unsafe. If evacuated, disconnect all electrical appliances, turn off electricity at the panel, gas service at the meter, and water at the main valve; and get to the highest level of a building if trapped. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.

– All San Diego residents can prepare for the rains and help reduce the risk of flooding near their homes and properties by taking these 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 the trash and recycle bins when placing them out on the street for collection, placing each bin approximately 2 to 3 feet away from the curb so as not to impede the stormwater flowing on the street; proactively turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff; know the safest routes to and from your home or property should flooding occur; and do not open or lift manhole covers in the event of street flooding.