Photos of Mission Valley flooding from El Niño storm.
Car deep in the water. The flooded lower level of a Fashion Valley mall parking garage in San Diego’s Mission Valley.
Occasionally I post not-so-cool photos on my blog. Here are some that are noteworthy. I took these this morning while walking through a section of Mission Valley on my way to work. Because it lies right next to the San Diego River, the area is notorious for catastrophic flooding.
Yesterday we had a storm that brought intense rain to our region. It was the second winter storm of this El Nino year. Today we’re having our third storm, and it looks to be fairly rainy for many days to come.
Of course, after California’s long drought, we need the water. Unfortunately, the rain that falls in Mission Valley and many other parts of San Diego isn’t captured–it simply runs off into the ocean. I hope there isn’t too much damage caused this winter by El Nino. To my blog’s followers who are affected, take care!
The morning after an early winter storm during an El Nino year. The sun is out as people cross the San Diego River near the Fashion Valley Transit Center.Areas along the San Diego River are notorious for flooding. Yesterday a long deluge raised the water to an unusually high level.A couple dozen cars were spotted flooded at the Fashion Valley shopping mall. This one was stranded not far from Macy’s, which also suffered some flooding inside the store.More cars abandoned in the flood. Many storms are in line to strike San Diego in the coming days during this El Nino year.The bike and pedestrian pathway beneath Highway 163 flooded and was impassable. The nearby river was swollen with the recent rain.A beautiful morning photo of the San Diego River taken from Mission Center Road. This spot floods during severe storms and traffic must be diverted.A barrier stands ready for the next storm. It looks to be a long, watery winter!
Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.
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36 thoughts on “Photos of Mission Valley flooding from El Niño storm.”
😦 Not good! We have a few places along a freeway that usually flood, but knock on wood during El Nino years only that and Alviso which is the end of the line for many of our channels , and the river, and it may be below sea level get the worst of flooding.
Thanks Richard! So far we’re doing alright up here in the Bay Area. There was an article in today’s paper about the rain and its affects. Here’s a quote from the writer’s I liked.
“The storms that are vaulting across the Bay Area this week are moving so fast that they feel less like a drowning than a baptism — blessedly wet, but not inflicting any major flooding.” That pretty much sums it up nicely. 🙂 We didn’t have rain today so things dried out a bit which will surely help when the next storm rolls through.
That’s good to hear! It sounds like we’re going to dry out a bit for a couple days, too! Today we didn’t have nearly the amount of rain that some weather people predicted.
I’m a native San Diegan and old enough to remember when Mission Valley was populated with farms and ranches. Awhile later we watched the Padres play at Westgate park. Why they thought it was a good idea to put so much development in a flood plain, I’ll never know.
We had the recycle and trash bins out on the street last night, ready for pick up this morning and they got washed slightly downhill, about a house and a half, still standing even though they were moved while sitting sideways…..which isn’t how the wheels go :0
The problem with this area is that developers built it on a flood plain. When I was a kid this whole area was a cow pasture. Cows can move when huge pastures flood. People can’t when they live in concrete boxes in a flood plain. It was developers being irresponsible. But how cool is this? We finally have RAIN!! The plants, animals, eco-systems need it!
You’re right! Not-so-cool photos, and I’m sorry to see this. I feel for those who have lost their cars and other things due to the rain and flooding. This happened to me years ago in Louisville, KY. Fighting with the insurance company afterwards was no fun either!
Yeah, it would be a real bummer to discover one’s car flooded out, and then dealing with all of the hassle afterward. I heard something like 75 people had their cars stranded in the last storm. Worse, rescue teams have had to rescue some people who were at risk of being swept away.
I lived in SD when I started Kindergarten. At the time my parents owned a house on top of a what seemed to me a mountain plus it had stairs from the driveway to the front door! It was scary as hell riding my brand new two wheeler down that driveway. Okay, I confess I started at the halfway point the first time I rode my bike down the driveway. It felt like it was somewhat on the outskirts of town, or a new suburb then…not that developed. The guy who owned the property above us had a small orange orchard. I hope your house is that high!
It’s reasonably high–I’m on the top of Cortez Hill downtown. No orchards anywhere closeby, however! A bike ride down the street would be like a ride through a canyon of skyscrapers!
It is what it is. Southern California is basically a desert-like area (that has been built up with imported water), so dry times and flash floods aren’t all that unusual. But today is going to be difficult! Raining like crazy this very moment!
Great pictures, brought back many memories… like I have always said, especially during the almost thirty years we lived in San Diego, where a river once was, when there is water, a river will appear again… Could never figure out why they built so much in and near the river bed. Still makes no sense, but, it is so much fun to go to the Valley and shop and at times like these watch how people react!
Stay dry! Enjoy El Nino!
I just shake my head… but, people will move in there and love it and complain when the next big rain comes… Thanks for all the photos of San Diego, it helps fill some loneliness of the city that I feel.
Wow, Richard, I’ve never seen it like this. We are still down in Baja where it is warm and sunny. Back to San Diego late next week. Thanks for posting.
Cool San Diego Sights! 
😦 Not good! We have a few places along a freeway that usually flood, but knock on wood during El Nino years only that and Alviso which is the end of the line for many of our channels , and the river, and it may be below sea level get the worst of flooding.
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I hope you stay safe!
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Thanks Richard! So far we’re doing alright up here in the Bay Area. There was an article in today’s paper about the rain and its affects. Here’s a quote from the writer’s I liked.
“The storms that are vaulting across the Bay Area this week are moving so fast that they feel less like a drowning than a baptism — blessedly wet, but not inflicting any major flooding.” That pretty much sums it up nicely. 🙂 We didn’t have rain today so things dried out a bit which will surely help when the next storm rolls through.
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That’s good to hear! It sounds like we’re going to dry out a bit for a couple days, too! Today we didn’t have nearly the amount of rain that some weather people predicted.
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Did you see the video of the guy paddleboarding down the street in OB? Intense weather the past couple days!
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No, but someone at work mentioned it. I’ll have to check it out.
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I’m a native San Diegan and old enough to remember when Mission Valley was populated with farms and ranches. Awhile later we watched the Padres play at Westgate park. Why they thought it was a good idea to put so much development in a flood plain, I’ll never know.
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And they keep on building even to this day!
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Yes, unfortunately developers seem to own this town.
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Short on resources like water, but the building continues!
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We had the recycle and trash bins out on the street last night, ready for pick up this morning and they got washed slightly downhill, about a house and a half, still standing even though they were moved while sitting sideways…..which isn’t how the wheels go :0
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How funny! Was there any flooding around where you live?
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Not that I know of but there was lots of water running down our street.
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The problem with this area is that developers built it on a flood plain. When I was a kid this whole area was a cow pasture. Cows can move when huge pastures flood. People can’t when they live in concrete boxes in a flood plain. It was developers being irresponsible. But how cool is this? We finally have RAIN!! The plants, animals, eco-systems need it!
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I actually enjoyed walking in the rain with my umbrella! And we definitely need it, that’s for sure!
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You’re right! Not-so-cool photos, and I’m sorry to see this. I feel for those who have lost their cars and other things due to the rain and flooding. This happened to me years ago in Louisville, KY. Fighting with the insurance company afterwards was no fun either!
Thank you for sharing this post with us!
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Yeah, it would be a real bummer to discover one’s car flooded out, and then dealing with all of the hassle afterward. I heard something like 75 people had their cars stranded in the last storm. Worse, rescue teams have had to rescue some people who were at risk of being swept away.
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Sorry to hear this…..
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Oh my… that was not good. I hope you are ok?
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I’m okay! Fortunately I live on top of a hill!
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Great to hear!
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I lived in SD when I started Kindergarten. At the time my parents owned a house on top of a what seemed to me a mountain plus it had stairs from the driveway to the front door! It was scary as hell riding my brand new two wheeler down that driveway. Okay, I confess I started at the halfway point the first time I rode my bike down the driveway. It felt like it was somewhat on the outskirts of town, or a new suburb then…not that developed. The guy who owned the property above us had a small orange orchard. I hope your house is that high!
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It’s reasonably high–I’m on the top of Cortez Hill downtown. No orchards anywhere closeby, however! A bike ride down the street would be like a ride through a canyon of skyscrapers!
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Either a drought or flood, eh? Such a shame, such a beautiful state.
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It is what it is. Southern California is basically a desert-like area (that has been built up with imported water), so dry times and flash floods aren’t all that unusual. But today is going to be difficult! Raining like crazy this very moment!
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Best of luck to you and your wonderful city!
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Thank you!
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Great pictures, brought back many memories… like I have always said, especially during the almost thirty years we lived in San Diego, where a river once was, when there is water, a river will appear again… Could never figure out why they built so much in and near the river bed. Still makes no sense, but, it is so much fun to go to the Valley and shop and at times like these watch how people react!
Stay dry! Enjoy El Nino!
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Some things never seem to change! And they’re still building! A bunch of new construction recently where the concrete quarry used to be!
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I just shake my head… but, people will move in there and love it and complain when the next big rain comes… Thanks for all the photos of San Diego, it helps fill some loneliness of the city that I feel.
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You’re welcome!
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Wow, Richard, I’ve never seen it like this. We are still down in Baja where it is warm and sunny. Back to San Diego late next week. Thanks for posting.
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Bring some of that sunshine with you!
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Oh that’s familiar 😦
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u got some awesome shots!
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Thanks!
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