Damaging Wind in California, September 5, 1997

Name: Damaging Wind in California, September 5, 1997
Start: 1997-09-05T12:00
End: 1997-09-05T16:00
Location: California

September 5, 1997 · NWS SGX · 1 event in 1 county or zone

1 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The San Diego radar (KNKX), 72 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, San Diego

When: September 5, 12:00 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, Borrego Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 33.250, -116.380

A complex of very heavy thunderstorms developed over Borrego Springs and the surrounding mountains and deserts of northeastern San Diego County from Ocotillo Wells, to Julian and Ranchita. Strong winds clocked at 60 mph, downed six power poles at La Casa Del Zorro Resort. Downed power lines and flooding forced the closure of Borrego Springs Road between Yaqui Pass and Highway 78. At least 1600 residences and businesses in the area were without power, and some without running water for over 14 hours.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history Warnings in California, September 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5614104.