Flooding and Heavy Snow in California, February 4 to 9, 2024

Back-to-back atmospheric river events impacted Orange County starting early on February 4th, with weather impacts occurring through much of the week, and finally ending on February 9th. Much of Orange County received anywhere from 2-9 inches of rainfall. Some localized higher totals include 11.81 at Santiago Peak, numerous other locations in the Santa Ana Mountains including Holy Jim Canyon which received 8-10 inches of rain, and 8.94 of rain at the Coto De Caza (CTDC1) observation site. Coastal areas generally received 2-5 inches of rain, while inland areas generally received rainfall totals in the 5-8 range.

Back-to-back atmospheric river events impacted Riverside County starting early on February 4th, with weather impacts occurring through much of the week, and finally ending on February 9th. Much of Riverside County received anywhere from 2-5 inches of rainfall. Some localized higher totals include 5.55 at the North Elsinore (NELC1) observation site, 5.37 at Prado Dam (PDMC1), and 5.04 of rain at the Perris CDF (PRVC1) observation site. Areas in the Coachella Valley received notably less, generally on the order of 0.75 or less, with the exceptions of the San Gorgonio Pass, Whitewater, and Desert Hot Springs areas which received 1-4 of rain.

Back-to-back atmospheric river events impacted San Bernardino County starting early on February 4th, with weather impacts occurring through much of the week, and finally ending on February 9th. Much of the lower elevations in San Bernardino County received anywhere from 5-10 inches of rainfall. Some notable localized higher totals include 15.48 of rain at the Lytle Creek (MFLC1) observation site, 12.40 at the Deer Creek Dam (DECC1) site, 11.42 at the Glen Helen Reg Park (GLHC1) site, and 10.13 at the Devore Fire Station (DVEC1) site. Less rain fell in the Apple and Lucerne Valley regions, generally on the order of 1.50-4.00 inches. Localized higher totals of 5.44 occurred near Pioneertown (PWNC1).

Back-to-back atmospheric river events impacted San Diego County starting early on February 4th, with weather impacts occurring through much of the week, and finally ending on February 9th. Much of San Diego County received anywhere from 1.50-5.00 inches of rainfall. Coastal areas generally received 2-4 of rain including 2.85 at San Diego International Airport, 3.93 in Escondido, and between 4.00-4.50 near the Oceanside and Carlsbad areas. Mountainous areas received generally 2-7 of rain, while the deserts generally received between 0.15 and 0.90 of rain. Some notable localized higher totals include 8.27 at the San Onofre (SOFC1) site, 7.17 at the Lake Cuyamaca (CYDC1) site, 6.96 at the Camp Trgt Range RAWS (CTGC1) site, and 5.85 at the CPEN Fallbrook RAWS site (FBZC1).

Snow levels down to as low as 3500 feet, combined with a long-duration atmospheric river event, allowed for several feet of accumulating snow to occur at various locations in the San Diego County Mountains. Snow totals as high as 18 inches fell at the Mount Laguna Lodge (6100' in elevation) and 16 inches fell at Palomar Mountain (5700'). Areas near Julian (4300') received around 4 inches of snow, while Descanso (4000') and Wynola (3600') received 2-3 inches of snow.

Snow levels down to as low as 3500 feet, combined with a long-duration atmospheric river event, allowed for several feet of accumulating snow to occur at various locations in the Riverside County Mountains. Some notable snow totals include: 24 inches at Mt San Jacinto Long Valley (8400' in elevation) and 19 inches at Pine Cove (6000').

Snow levels down to as low as 3500 feet, combined with a long-duration atmospheric river event, allowed for several feet of accumulating snow to occur at various locations in the San Bernardino County Mountains. Some notable snow totals include: 80-97 inches of snow at Snow Valley (7800' in elevation), 60-74 inches at Bear Mountain Snow Summit (7500'), 64 inches at Green Valley Lake (6900'), and 56 inches at Mount Baldy Notch (7800'). Areas near Angelus Oaks (5780') and Oak Glen (4900') received 20 and 18 inches of snow, respectively.

A missing hiker's body was recovered near Mount Baldy nearly a week after going missing on February 4. Heavy snow and a high avalanche risk hindered search efforts.

North and southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint St and Warner Ave were closed due to flooding.

About 3 inches of standing water flooded out a garage near the intersection of California Ave and Oakmont Ave.

A swiftwater rescue was conducted at Keenbrook Road just west of Cajon Blvd near Cajon Wash. A car drove through a flooded roadway and became submerged in floodwaters. Three occupants were trapped up in a tree.

About 0.60 inch of rain fell near the intersection of Gilman Springs Road and Alessandro Blvd between Moreno Valley and Eden, leading to mudslides and flooding in the area.

The off-ramp from I-215 South near Base Line St in San Bernardino was closed due to flooding.

Flooding occurred in the fast lane on I-10 Eastbound near SR60.

The San Canyon Wash overflowed, which led to flooding in parts of Mason Park in Irvine.

The Riverside County Coroner's Bureau identified the two people who died as the result of a three-car crash in Moreno Valley overnight.

A 25, year old male of San Bernardino, was identified as the driver of a grey Dodge Ram truck that toppled into a flooded channel as a result of the crash. He was swept away, and his body was later found near the Ramona Expressway by Cal Fire/Riverside County's Swift Water Rescue Team shortly before midnight, according to officials.

Flooding caused a full closure of SR173 to Lake Arrowhead Road.

In Bloomington, Locust Ave from 8th St to 11th St was closed due to flooding.

Six people were rescued from the Santa Ana River bottom in Jurupa Valley at Van Buren Blvd and Clay St.

Report of roadway flooding near 4544 Summit Valley Road, on the desert slope side of the San Bernardino Mountains. CHP reported an estimated 12 inches of standing water in the northbound lanes.

Flooding spread into the roadway at South Mission Rd and Green Canyon Rd. About 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in the area at the time.

Closure at El Camino Ave ramps on SR78. Rainfall of 1.2 to 1.4 inches fell in this region.

The Northbound on-ramp to I-5 at Palomar Airport Road was closed due to flooding. About 1.5 inches of rain fell in the area.

The Southbound On Ramp to SR-57 at Ball Road was closed due to flooding. About 2.5-3.0 inches of rain fell in the area.

Several rocks, mud, as well as a boulder were blocking the Northbound Lane of Cole Grade Rd near Cool Valley Rd.

A rock slide led to rocks blocking traffic lanes of N Lake Wohlford Rd at Valley Center Rd.

San Diego County Public Works reported that Campania Ave between Castello Circle and Camino San Thomas was closed due to flooding.

A large sink hole formed in the center lane of Eastbound Highway 78 west of College Blvd.

Report from a Trained Spotter of floodwaters about 3-6 inches deep, washing up onto the sidewalks near Talbert Middle School in Liberty Park.

A 61 year old man drowned in the Tijuana River Channel on February 6 while attempting to cross the international border, following heavy rain in San Diego. San Diego Fire-Rescue swift water crews pulled the body from the river and despite attempted lifesaving measures, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

SR74 and Casper's Park had significant flooding occur after 4.50 inches of rain fell in the area.

Spotter shared a video of 2-3 feet of flowing water on Avenida Del Rio, with water also flowing over Fashion Valley Road and entering the mall parking structure.