San Diego County received a rare tornado warning during a historic storm that has already wreaked destruction across California.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning for inland areas of the county, including El Cajon, La Mesa, and Santee. The alarm was part of a larger concern as a devastating storm caused hundreds of mudslides in Southern California, resulting in repeated flood warnings.
The record-setting storm system had forecast up to 3 inches of rain in San Diego and Los Angeles, raising concerns about flooding and mudslides caused by the already saturated terrain. According to the NWS, the region remains under a flood watch, with heavy runoff expected to cause flooding in various low-lying and flood-prone areas.
The situation worsened with the issue of a Flash Flood Warning, which indicated "life-threatening" conditions as heavy rains approached 0.75 to one inch per hour. The warning, which covered San Diego and Orange counties, expired at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, affecting neighbourhoods such as Oceanside and Fallbrook at San Diego County's northernmost tip.
The NWS issued a warning about flash flooding along streams, creeks, and other waterways, which could threaten low-lying urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses.
A rare Tornado Warning was issued, affecting South Bay and East County, with potential dangers of "pea-sized hail" and speeds topping 40 mph. Although the warning was cancelled about 12:30pm as the system dropped below severe limits, it put San Diego State University on high alert, prompting a "Take Cover" message to all students.
As the county braced for sporadic thunderstorms and continuing rains through Wednesday, authorities reported at least one casualty from flooding: a migrant attempting to cross the overflowing Tijuana River.
Despite the storm's ferocity, the NWS San Diego office received no damage reports consistent with a tornado. The uncommon noontime tornado warning, the highest degree of alert, had people on edge, encouraging them to seek quick shelter if a tornado formed. Fortunately, with no recorded touchdowns and the front receding, the threat was reduced.
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