San Diego Hit by Flash Floods amid Widespread US Rainfall (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Flash floods wreaked havoc in San Diego on Monday as torrential rain swept through the southern United States, triggering flood warnings and causing chaos across California.
In the town of Guerneville, north of San Francisco, early morning flooding forced the local school district to cancel classes for the day. The severe weather system later hit the southern part of the state, causing floodwaters to sweep away vehicles and pile cars on top of each other in parts of San Diego.
Eddie Ochoa, a San Diego resident, described the rapid escalation of the situation, saying, "It's never been that bad, ever. It's crazy." Over a three-hour period, significant rainfall occurred, with National City receiving 3 inches and San Diego International Airport receiving 2 inches.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department engaged in swift-water rescues, pulling people to safety in areas like Spring Valley and Casa de Oro. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria declared a state of emergency, and shelters were set up for displaced residents.
The National Weather Service issued warnings about the San Diego River flooding, emphasizing the unsafe conditions of crossing roads. The city fire department reported rescuing at least 24 people from the rushing San Diego and Tijuana rivers.
In other parts of the country, including Arkansas, freezing rain raised concerns. The National Weather Service warned of up to half an inch of ice coating parts of the state, potentially causing power outages. Missouri experienced numerous accidents, with over 400 crashes and at least three fatalities reported.
As the wintry weather and heavy rainfall continue, parts of the Midwest, lower Great Lakes area, and Northeast are predicted to face freezing rain and snowfall. Additionally, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast, with some areas receiving significant rainfall through Wednesday.