Palomar Mountain News

When Cliff’s storm warning came through, I was looking out through clear blue sky at the coast along the Pacific. We have only had teasers, with no rain at our place at all the past few days. So, I must admit, I rolled my eyes. Then, I snapped to attention when I heard loud thunder and the sun went behind a cloud. Ok, ok… we might get a storm!
Here is a tip for you on the Mountain when thunderstorms may be on the way, or when you leave your weekend cabin during storm seasons:

THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST? Best to unplug all appliances including computers, TV’s, refrigerators (12 hours on, 12 hours off), phone lines, and anything else at risk of frying in a thunderstorm. Neighbors have lost all of the above leaving them plugged in. Last year, we lost our phone (imagine me without a phone!) so it can be pretty smart to unplug.

And, thanks to Chief Cliff for passing this on:

CLIFF KELLOGG
Subject: [PMVFD] Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning
Now – Friday, Aug 30
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… SOUTHWESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA… NORTH CENTRAL SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA…
* UNTIL 515 PM PDT
* AT 206 PM PDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED FLASH FLOODING FROM TWO STORMS OVER THE WARNED AREA.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PALOMAR MOUNTAIN…WARNER SPRINGS…AND AGUANGA
* DRAINAGE IN AND AROUND THIS AREA INCLUDE COTTONWOOD CREEK AND AGUA CALIENTE CREEK. THESE CREEKS WILL LIKELY RUN HIGH AND MAY OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS.
* HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOODING MAY IMPACT HIGHWAY 79 AND 371.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.