Weather Advisory

Department of Public Works

Emergency Page

This page is not currently active

The DPW Emergency page is activated during severe weather events that affect driving conditions on San Diego County roads or other issues of public safety

Weather Update::

We didn't get as much rain and snow as expected Tuesday night. The upper level low pressure system remained offshore until landfall in northern Baja California and is currently centered just south of the Imperial County/Mexican border. Rainfall totals were generally about 1/3" along the coast, 1/2" in the foothills, 3/4" to 1" in the mountains, and less than 1/4" in the deserts

Scattered shower activity will continue this morning in the mountains and deserts with a stray shower or two in the foothills, ending everywhere by sunset. Snow level is currently around 3500' and will rise to about 4500' by afternoon. Weather will remain fair and slightly warmer Thursday through at least the middle of next week

DPW ALERT: During severe storms, people need to be acutely aware of their surroundings - especially in burn areas and low-lying areas that have experienced flooding problems the past. People near the rivers and creeks should move themselves and loose belongings away from the river itself and take appropriate protection measures. Stay away from flooded rivers and streams, and do not try and cross flooded intersections or low water crossings. You have no idea how deep the water is, or in the case of the low water crossings, if the crossing is even intact. Remember, a small amount of water at the right velocity can sweep a vehicle and its occupants off the road and downstream - even a semi. If you have to ask, "Can I make it?" - Don't even try. It's not worth it.

Complete San Diego Forecast from the National Weather Service

Roads Summary - by reporting road station. NEW entries are in bold

Division I

Jamacha - All roads OPEN

Spring Valley: - Quarry Road Dip OPEN;

Alpine -: All roads OPEN

Campo - Old Hwy 80 open, plowing operations in progress

Lakeside - All roads OPEN

Julian - Snow cleared on Julian streets, all roads now clear

Mount Laguna: Flurries reported at 5500' on Mt Laguna, crews are still plowing; Chains still REQUIRED. Please be aware of snow plows and other equipment - Do not park in roadway.

Division II

Borrego - All roads OPEN

Ramona - All roads open, mudslide on Old Julian Hwy is CLEARED

Fallbrook / Bonsall: All roads OPEN, flooded signs are posted at the DeLuz Dip at 11mm

San Marcos - Country Club Dip is now OPEN, all roads open

Valley Center - All roads OPEN; Cole Grade at the dip is OPEN,

Palomar Mountain – 6" - 8" Snow at 4500' - Roads are plowed, Chains no longer required

Flood Control:

All Channels Open - no current issues

To report flooding issues call the Storm Water Hotline at 888 846-0800

Storm Cleanup Summary:

During the storm late yesterday Quarry Road and Country Club were both closed at the dips; have now reopened. County road crews began plowing operations at 3am in Julian, on Sunrise Hwy, and on Palomar Mountain. Please be aware of equipment operating in those areas. Do not park on the roadway.

In the lull between storms, County road crews have been checking culverts, drains, and channels clearing any build-up of debris and silt, keeping our drainage infrastructure working. Please do not discard debris, garbage, or bio-mass alongside the roadway or into the drainage infrastructure. It blocks the storm water and causes flooding.

During the last storm much of the activity included clearing boulders from the roadways in the canyons and mountain regions, scraping and shoveling mud and debris from the side of the road, placing barricades and signs at flooded roadways, and clearing the many trees that fell. Except for those that had flooded, especially in the De Luz area, most roads were reopened within the hour.

During inclement weather, when crews are working day and night to make our roads safe and passable, Please slow down and exercise caution when you approach a DPW road crew member working on the roadway to make your trip home safer.

What you can do to help:

During heavy rains, some drains and culverts become clogged with material washed down from upstream or illegally dumped at the roadside. If you see illegal dumping, please call our hotline at 877-684-8000, or notify local law enforcement.

FREE sand and bags are available to residents of unincorporated areas of the County at the following locations: (please bring your own shovel) As of Friday AM: all sites remained stocked with sand and bags.

Locations:

28205 N. Lake Wohlford Rd., Valley Center
16971 Hwy 76, Valley Center
1587 Hwy 78, Julian
1364 Tavern Road, Alpine
Cal Fire, Mount Woodson Station - 16310 Highway 67, Ramona
North County Fire Protection, Station Four - 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook
Dulzura Fire Station -17304 Highway 94, Dulzura

Please use the free sand and bags to protect your property as well as the County storm drain infrastructure. Be careful not to block storm drains and culverts with your bagging.

DRIVING ADVISORY:

Please always exercise caution in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Do NOT cross a flooded roadway if you cannot see the pavement. A few inches of water at the right velocity can carry a vehicle and its occupants off the roadway and downstream. In mountain areas be aware of mud flows, rocks and other debris in the roadway during and immediately following a rain event. Where ice and snow are present, exercise extreme caution and be watchful for County road crews and equipment. Also do not stop in the roadway to get out an enjoy the snow; find a safe place to pull over and park

Link to: CHP Traffic Incident Information Page (select San Diego in Areas menu at upper left)

Report Storm Related Problems: 888.846.0800

For non-storm Public Works information, please visit the DPW web site

EROSION CONTROL BROCHURES

Homeowner's Guide for Flood, Debris and Erosion Control (pdf)
(Note: use the "Save Target As.." option on your browser to download this file to your computer)

Best Management Practices (BMPs) For Post-Fire Runoff, Erosion and Sediment Control (pdf)

Caltrans Freeway/Highway Closures & Lane Closures

California Highway Patrol "Real Time" Incidents
(Enter "San Diego" in the "areas" window)

County Roads Telephone Numbers

Report non-emergency County road problems on line

San Diego Weather Radar