San Diego County rang in the new year with a deluge that few will soon forget. As residents celebrated the arrival of 2026, a powerful winter storm swept through the region, drenching neighborhoods from the coast to the mountains, causing widespread flooding, and prompting a series of dramatic rescues and emergency responses.
According to FOX 5/KUSI, rainfall totals soared across the county as of 5:15 p.m. on January 1, 2026. Coastal communities saw the rain pile up: National City recorded 2.73 inches, Fashion Valley 2.56 inches, and the area near San Diego International Airport 2.45 inches. Kearny Mesa wasn’t far behind with 2.25 inches, while Point Loma, San Marcos, Chula Vista, and Carlsbad all received over an inch. Even typically drier spots like Vista and Oceanside weren’t spared, each notching close to an inch of rain.
The valleys bore their share as well, with La Mesa topping the list at 2.78 inches, Santee close behind at 2.74, and Alpine at 2.65. Escondido, Ramona, Valley Center, Rancho Bernardo, and Poway all reported over two inches. Bonsall and Fallbrook received 1.51 and 0.76 inches, respectively.
But it was the mountain communities that truly felt the brunt. Palomar Mountain was drenched with a whopping 4.89 inches, Lake Cuyamaca 4.06, and Henshaw Dam 3.90. Julian, Mount Laguna, and Santa Ysabel all saw totals well above two inches. The rain, relentless and unyielding, transformed familiar landscapes into rivers and lakes, overwhelming infrastructure and residents alike.
As CNN reported, videos from across San Diego captured the chaos: cars submerged on city streets, water pouring into homes and businesses, and emergency crews wading through waist-deep currents. The flooding was so severe that it prompted a Flood Advisory for the San Diego River at Fashion Valley, with the National Weather Service warning of elevated water levels and the real risk of local beach flooding due to high morning tides.
On New Year’s Day, the situation grew dire enough to trigger multiple water rescues. In Escondido, San Diego County Fire-Rescue personnel sprang into action after a couple attempted to cross a low-water area near Lake Hodges. According to a statement from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, "Water on the crossing was now flowing swiftly to the lake. The couple entered the flowing water on foot to get back to their vehicle. Despite walking cautiously, the current swept them both off their feet. They were carried by the water into a creek that flowed into Lake Hodges." The man managed to reach the shore and summon help, while his wife was carried downstream. Thankfully, a coordinated rescue operation involving deputies, Cal Fire San Diego, and local fire agencies located her and brought her to safety at a hospital. Both were later reported to be in stable condition.
The sheriff’s office took the opportunity to remind the public of the dangers posed by floodwaters: "Just six inches of fast-moving water is enough to put your life at risk. Remember, turn around, don’t drown." It’s advice that, given the events of the day, couldn’t have been more timely.
Elsewhere, the drama continued. In Mission Valley, a man found himself trapped under a bridge by the rapidly rising San Diego River. Fire crews and a lifeguard swift-water rescue team responded at 11:16 a.m., ultimately extricating the man and transporting him to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokeswoman Candace Hadley.
Fashion Valley, already notorious for its susceptibility to flooding, became the scene of another rescue. As Hadley described it, the area was "a river," and the Avenida Del Rio section was hit especially hard. One adult and one child became trapped in their vehicle as floodwaters surged around them. Lifeguards managed to reach them and bring them to safety, though details about their ages were not provided.
The storm didn’t just threaten lives; it also disrupted daily routines. Trolley service in downtown San Diego was suspended for several hours as floodwaters inundated tracks and stations, leaving commuters stranded and officials scrambling to restore order. The city’s inclement weather shelter program was activated for a second consecutive day, opening extra beds at three locations—Living Water Church of the Nazarene, Joan Kroc Center, and Father Joe’s Villages Paul Mirabile Center—to provide refuge for those without homes as the rain and cold bore down. The program’s activation criteria are strict: temperatures below 50 degrees with a 40% chance of rain, or 45 degrees or below regardless of precipitation, and during exceptional weather events such as these.
As the storm system moved through, the National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazard Statement for San Diego County’s coastline, warning that high morning tides could lead to minor tidal overflows and localized beach flooding through Sunday morning, January 4. While the worst of the rain was expected to taper off by Friday, forecasters cautioned that a series of weak but colder weather systems would bring additional chances for light to moderate showers over the weekend and into the middle of the following week. General clearing was predicted by Wednesday, January 7, with high temperatures remaining in the 60s—a small comfort after days of chaos.
The flooding, as ABC 10News and City News Service both noted, was not just an inconvenience but a serious hazard. The images of submerged cars and fast-moving currents served as stark reminders of nature’s power and the importance of heeding official warnings. The city’s emergency response was robust, but officials repeatedly urged residents to avoid unnecessary risks: never walk, swim, or drive through flooded areas, and always err on the side of caution.
Even as the waters began to recede, San Diegans were left to assess the damage and prepare for more unsettled weather ahead. The storm’s impact stretched from the urban core to the remote mountain valleys, touching lives and livelihoods throughout the county. For many, the new year started not with fireworks and celebration, but with the humbling realization that, sometimes, the forces of nature can turn even the most familiar streets into rivers overnight.
As the week progresses, residents are keeping a wary eye on the forecast, bracing for whatever else the winter may bring. For now, though, the city is drying out, grateful for the heroism of its first responders and the resilience of its community.
