Floods Wreak Havoc On San Diego Roads From Record-Breaking SoCal Storm

SAN DIEGO, CA — Turn around, don't drown was the message Wednesday as commuters headed out into rainy morning traffic. San Diego woke to a flood advisory that would last until midday and on the heels of the wet-weather winds were expected to blow through the county at gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

California Highway Patrol and Caltrans had a busy morning with crashes across the county due to slick roads and flooded intersections. At least two people suffered major injuries in a crash in Carmel Valley and were taken to a nearby hospital in uncertain condition.

Read: Carmel Valley Crash Injures Two, Firefighters Free Trapped Victim

Multiple crashes were reported across the county, some from pot hole damage and others due to rainy and flooded conditions. Authorities initiated traffic breaks on the 8th Street to I-5 North onramp to fill potholes.

In the Northridge area, a mudslide blocked Cougar Pass road south of Alps Way with "rocks as big as a car," according to the 911 caller. That rock slide was blocking the road as of 11:45 a.m.

Near Bonsall, a good Samaritan aimed to help another driver who was stuck and waiting for a tow truck, slow in coming to the area of Camino Del Rey.

State Route 78, the Ronald Packard Parkway was closed from El Camino Real to College Boulevard in Carlsbad due to flooding, according to CHP. The closure began at 7 a.m. and was still in effect hours later. Alternate routes were suggested.

Wednesday's flood advisory was scheduled to remain in place through 1 p.m. in Chula Vista, El Cajon, National City, La Mesa, Poway, Imperial Beach, Ramona, Coronado, Del Mar and Alpine, according to the National Weather Service.

As rain increases in intensity tonight, keep in mind these safety tips when driving in the rain:
- Wipers on? Headlights on
- Slow down, allow extra time to reach your destination
- Do not drive through flooded areas!
Head to https://t.co/kFRJFPQecO for the latest info.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/J0Tw5KGypt
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/NWSSanDieg... 15, 2023

Up to 2 inches of rain was expected in South San Diego County and inland areas. North San Diego County was expected to be pummeled with up to 3 inches of rain from the storm. Mount Palomar was expecting a walloping 5 inches of rain from the storm.