EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS COPE WITH FLOODING AND STORM DAMAGE

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Story and photos by Miriam Raftery
December 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)4:30 p.m.-- In Blossom Valley, one property owner found a creative place to shelter her horses during the storm.

 

“My horses were up to their knees this morning, so the net came down and the hay went in,” said Catherine Sacks in an e-mail sent to East County Magazine, along with the photo at left. “Tennis anyone?”

 

On Fletcher Parkway, a mud slide is currently blocking two lanes on the hill heading east down to El Cajon. Meanwhile in Alpine, Via Viejas Road is flooding as Viejas Creek has over-flowed a small dam at the Little Lake in Palo Verde Ranch, reports resident George Barnett.

“Where the creek crosses our property, about a half mile upstream of the Little Lake, it’s now running about 8 feet deep and 20 feet wide – up from its seasonal trickle,” Barnett said in an email sent to the Alpine Community Network. Entry to the community can be made via the “back gate” through adjoining Rancho Palo Verde.
 

Five feet of water is pooled along Highway 67 in Lakeside, nearly submerging a five-foot chain link fence. The roadway is not currently flooded but use caution as flooding may occur if additional rainfall occurs, ECM photographer Dennis Richardson reports.

The boathouse at Lindo Lake is also submerged, Richardson said.
 

On Mt. Helix, homeowners contended with newly formed waterfalls cascading off mountainsides and streams overflowing, transforming front yards into ponds and flowing waterways. Others discovered leaking roofs and flooded rooms from run-off.

 

In Santee, Sheriff’s officials rescued a 17-year-old driver who got her vehicle stuck in mud on Cottonwood. Elsewhere, drivers risked fording flooded roadways, changed routes, or stayed home to avoid dangers.
 

If you’re aware of additional flooded areas, mudslides or other hazards in East County, please post comments below.

 


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