Braving the storm

I hope you’re staying dry. This week’s storm brought intense weather to our shores, including strong winds, high surf advisories and flood warnings. We already know San Diego’s infrastructure struggles in the rain, but this week’s wind made clear just how vulnerable our neighborhoods are to storm damage.

In Mission Beach, knee-high flooding along Mission Boulevard stranded people for hours. The Pacific Beach Instagram account shared video of the iconic PB Local sign knocked down by wind and rain. On Oliver Avenue, a 30-foot pine tree toppled onto a parked car and a residential garden wall.

Neighbor Dee Hayes, who has lived on the property since 2006, said she heard the tree fall from inside her home Monday. Her family has owned the house on Oliver Avenue since 1945.

“It was an honor to have had her stand guard in the neighborhood all these years,” Hayes said of the tree. “She will be missed by many!”

Trees are more likely to fall during strong winds when saturated soil weakens their root systems. Wind can catch branches and uproot trees, especially those already compromised by dry limbs, fungi or decay.

As the storm tapers off, San Diego Fire-Rescue recommends residents report storm-related hazards through the city’s Get It Done app and stay cautious around debris and standing water.

We’ll be back to our year-round summer weather soon enough. Have a safe weekend.