Heavy rain triggers flooding, multiple water rescues across San Diego on New Year’s Day

Heavy rain on New Year’s Day caused widespread flooding in San Diego, prompting multiple water rescues and leaving drivers and pedestrians trapped in fast-moving water.

Source: FOX5 San Diego (local news). Heavy rain on Jan 1, 2026 caused widespread flooding across San Diego County, with severe pooling in Mission Valley and multiple water rescues reported (Fashion Valley Road; Camino de la Reina and Avenida del Rio; Lake Hodges). Emergency crews used rafts and a helicopter to rescue people trapped by fast-moving water; at least one adult and one child were rescued from a partially submerged Jeep. Fire officials warned many rescues were preventable and urged the public to avoid flooded roads. Conditions remained poor hours after peak rainfall as drainage was overwhelmed.