The city of San Diego, the second largest in California, declared a state of emergency due to flooding on Monday. According to its mayor, Todd Gloria, the town received three inches of rain during the last storm, causing several complications in the region:
I have declared a state of emergency in the City of San Diego due to extreme rainfall and flash flooding.
Check here for the latest road closures, evacuations and more: https://t.co/sJyh2weuRt
Please stay safe. Stay home if possible and never attempt to travel on flooded roads.
— San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (@MayorToddGloria) January 23, 2024
Rainfall became so heavy that, according to the National Weather Service, this Monday saw the heaviest rainfall in San Diego for a January day in years, ranking it as the fifth rainiest day in the city since 1850.
Record Rainfall Reports for January 22, 2024. https://t.co/LX2NzGvfTs#CAwx pic.twitter.com/N9OpHr0QKA
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 23, 2024
The problems in the region did not stop happening. In this way, near San Ysidro they had to rescue eight migrants who crossed the border illegally, according to the patrol chief of the San Diego sector, Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel:
Working alongside @SDFD agents rescued several undocumented migrants who became trapped in flood waters near San Ysidro today after they crossed the border illegally. 8 migrants were safely rescued & taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/DJ7iHcOd8g
— Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel (@USBPChiefSDC) January 22, 2024
Closure of schools and roads in San Diego
The rainfall also caused classroom closures in the La Mesa-School Valley district. Schools will remain closed this Tuesday and it is anticipated that students will be able to return to class next Wednesday, January 24:
Dear LMSV Families - due to the continued rain & the extent of the flooding we will need to close our schools on Tues, January 23.. We plan to resume classes on Wednesday, January 24. Should those plans change, we will update you immediately. See other socials for more info pic.twitter.com/eMw9aqfBnj
— La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools (@LMSVSchools) January 22, 2024
The San Diego naval base also reported complications. Officials advised facility staff to shelter inside buildings while they attempted to divert traffic to other locations not affected by flooding:
ALERT: Flooding reported in multiple areas of the base. Avoid driving through flooded areas. Recommend only essential personnel enter the base and all others avoid the base until further notice. Personnel on base, please stay in place until flooding levels subside. pic.twitter.com/Bkxb798FmZ
— Naval Base San Diego (@NavalBaseSD) January 22, 2024
Several California highways were also forced to close due to flooding. As reported by NBC, Interstate 15, which leads to Las Vegas, had to close for several hours. The same thing happened with State Route 78, which also remained closed to traffic for several hours.
The risk of flooding has not yet ended, according to the National Meteorological Service. The danger due to abundant rainfall is expected to continue until Friday in several parts of the south of the country:
A multi-day heavy rainfall event will impact the southern U.S. this week. Heavy rain will pose a risk of flooding across parts of the region each day through Friday. Numerous flash floods are likely. Freezing rain and snow will create hazardous travel and possible power outages… pic.twitter.com/Sde25qwe6M
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 23, 2024
