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By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Crestwood summit on I-8 by Don Lumb
January 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – “I was nearly killed by a large boulder on Friday night,” a reader told ECM, adding that multiple rock slides occurred along the highway to Ramona along the San Pasqual grade. “The County needs to evaluate that road right now before people are killed by the boulders.”
Heavy snow fell on Mt. Laguna and Julian, also blanketing Interstate 8 from Japatul Valley to In-Ko-Pah. Visibility was poor, leading to multiple crashes. Don Lumb sent photos from the Crestwood summit on I-8, noting, “Almost got stuck on the grade due to inexperienced drivers spinning out.”
In Jamul, Kate Campbell warned, “Several motorists cleared a rock fall on a bend on Jamul Drive, half a mile from the elementary school.” Debris remained scattered on the slippery road, she advised.
The Deerhorn Valley Antler reported several flooded spots Monday along Highway 94 including dips at Deerhorn Valley Road and Honey Springs. “Smart folks looked at their own vehicles and the depth/speed of the water, then made a safe decision,” Kim Hamilton wrote, adding that there were no reports of vehicles stuck or swept away.
Readers reported hailstones in Spring Valley, Mount Helix, Lemon Grove and other areas. Liz Young sent a video taken in the Proctor Valley area of Jamul, where thunderstorms and heavy downpours led to closure of Proctor Valley Road on Monday: https://youtu.be/CSnTcBYLDGM.
In Rainbow, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team members looking for a child who reportedly was spotted in swiftly moving waters of Rainbow Creek made a grim discovering, finding a man’s body and a submerged car.
In the South Bay area, high winds toppled over 100 trees. On Mt. Helix, a homeowner lost a large oak tree; in Alpine, a eucalyptus fell on the Alpine VFW Hall. Elsewhere downed trees damaged cars, homes and an apartment building.
While some suffered damages, others celebrated a sight not often seen in San Diego after years of drought: normally dry creeks and rivers suddenly filled with running water.
Colin and Janice Campbell shot video of rushing waters in Viejas Creek in Alpine:
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