Floods sweep southern Calif. in second of three major storms
SAN DIEGO -- More than 20 people escaped injury Friday when a flood swept cabins and vehicles down a coastal canyon as the second in a trio of storms drenched California with heavy rain and brought more snow to the mountains.
The troubles along the central coast came as a soaked Southern California was full of rain-related problems including stranded cars, toppled trees, homeless people needing rescue and an avalanche warning in one area.
It even delayed the first post-presidential vacation of Barack Obama and his family. The first family had to be diverted from the Palm Springs airport to March Air Force Base 60 miles away.
The storm was the latest in a series that have caused a long drought to retreat from nearly half the state, a margin that could grow after a wet weekend.
Evacuations were ordered Friday in a flooded area of Santa Barbara County, where several campers were also rescued in the Sherpa fire burn area, CBS Los Angeles reports.
A campground in in El Capitan Canyon was flooded, washing cabins and vehicles down a hillside, along with mud and trees, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Heavy rain and mountain snow, possible flooding, potentially damaging winds and thunderstorms are in the forecast for in various parts of San Diego County Friday as the second in a series of winter storms moves through the region, CBS affiliate KFMB reports.
The California Highway Patrol is reporting a large boulder blocking southbound Pala Temecula Road near Arouba Road in the Pala area; a fallen tree blocking South Live Oak Park Road near East Alvarado Street in Fallbrook; a blocked storm drain alongside the Magnolia Avenue offramp from eastbound Interstate 8 in El Cajon; and large rocks blocking the Wildcat Canyon Road at Oak Oasis Road near Lakeside.
Tire chains are required on Sunrise Highway between mile markers 15 and 32 in the Julian area, according to the county Department of Public Works.
In a 12-hour period ending at 8 a.m., rainfall amounts recorded around the county included .99 of an inch at Couser Canyon; .95 in Bonsall; .61 in Kearny Mesa and at Lake Cuyamaca; .58 in Julian; .57 in Descanso; .56 on Mt. Woodson; .49 in La Mesa; .46 in Chula Vista; .40 in Alpine; .38 in Camp Pendleton, Santee and Vista; .36 in Encinitas; .35 in Pine Valley and Rainbow; .32 in Fallbrook; .31 in Lakeside and San Marcos; .30 in Escondido; .29 on Volcan Mountain; .28 in Valley Center; .26 in Dulzura; .25 in Carlsbad and on
Mount Laguna; .24 in Warner Springs; .20 in Fallbrook and Ramona; .19 in Poway; and .17 at Lindbergh Field and on Palomar Mountain; .16 in Oceanside and San Ysidro; and .04 in San Felipe, according to National Weather Service data.
The storms prompted the weather service to issue a slew of warnings and advisories for various parts of the county.
A winter storm warning for the mountains will remain in effect from until 6 a.m. Saturday. Elevations as low as 5,000 feet may see 5 to 10 inches of snow, 1 to 2 feet could fall in areas from 5,500 to 6,000 feet and 18 inches to 2 feet of snow could blanket higher peaks, according to the weather service.
Heavy rainfall with amounts that could exceed an inch per hour at times and thunderstorms in some areas may lead to flooding. A flash flood watch for areas other than the deserts will run through this evening.