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Water Spouts, Flash Flood Warnings, it’s an Atmospheric River.
So we were warned, flash flood warning. We were expecting a worse rain event than we have gotten so far. I am not complaining. The damage has been spectacular north of us, in Los Angeles County. You can visit Patch for some of the photos.
In the meantime, we are having some issues south of the storm's core. However, we did have somebody die while attempting to cross the Tijuana River Valley.
While we got warnings from county and city officials, nature has, so far, spared San Diego, unlike two weeks ago. Why? It’s the nature of atmospheric rivers. They do have a more defined formation and carry a lot more water than they used to because it’s a warmer planet, and they form over warmer water.
So what are these?
An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor or filament of concentrated water vapor transported in the atmosphere. It’s like a river in the sky that can be 1,000 miles long. On average, atmospheric rivers have about twice the regular flow of the Amazon River.
When atmospheric rivers run up against mountains or run into local atmospheric dynamics and are forced to ascend, the moisture they carry cools and condenses, so they can produce intense rainfall or snowfall.
We are on the edge of the system. We were at the center of the system two weeks ago. Why did we get pounded with major rainfall, floods, and the rest that goes with it? We were lucky nobody got killed two weeks ago.
The further north you go in San Diego, the more damage and rains you will find. The storm's core is in LA County, Ventura, and absolutely some of Riverside.
This does not mean we don’t have an unstable atmosphere. We do. I spotted what looked like the beginnings of a water spout off my window. The National Weather Service warned about those, and where I saw it would match.
We are also getting a warning of a tornado, meaning the atmosphere is volatile.
My plea as a former first responder is that while the warnings have, so far, not come to pass, don’t ignore them. When I looked for photos, the San Diego River was about half a foot from cresting over the crossing. DO NOT drive through flowing water. It’s not worth it.
Remain ready and alert for evacuation orders. If you are ordered to leave, please evacuate. Your life is more important than material goods. Also, if you need rescue, it will also put others at risk.
Always listen to officials. Just because they were “wrong” last time does not mean they will be “ wrong” next time. I know it’s human nature, but that is one good way to get into trouble.
If you are under an evacuation warning, have a go bag with essential documents, some cash, a few changes of clothes, pet food, and your and your pet’s meds. Why cash? I mean, we have credit cards, right? Don’t assume ATMs will work.
