Storms continue to pound area

By: KELLY BRUSCH - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 8, 2005 8:56 PM PST ∞

Already flooded conditions in portions of Southwest County worsened on Saturday as the second in a powerful series of storms moved through the area.

The storms, known as the Pineapple Express because they originated near the Hawaiian Islands, appeared here on Friday morning, and aren't expected to dissipate until early next week, said Brad Doyle, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

A flash flood advisory is in effect for much of Riverside County until Tuesday, when showers are predicted to taper off, he said.

"If we can get by the next few days, we should be in pretty good shape for the remainder of the work week," Doyle said.

About an inch and a half of rain had fallen in areas of Southwest County by Saturday morning, with an additional one inch predicted to fall throughout the rest of day. Today should see an additional two inches of rain, with another half an inch expected to fall Monday, according to temeculaweather.com.

In Menifee, several roads were blocked off, including Haun Road and Garbani Road, just east of Antelope Road. Bradley Road north of Newport Road near the Salt Creek wash was still passable by mid-afternoon, although the roadway was flooded in several spots.

At least one vehicle got stuck on Garbani where water were standing several inches deep, a result of run-off from the surrounding fields.

Keith Archibek, 18, managed to drive his Ford Ranger across the hazard on Garbani on his way to Antelope. He said the spot has been flooded for about a month, but recently the water has become so deep, many people in the area are taking alternate routes.

The road has been closed for two days, but people with more sturdy vehicles still attempt to cross the pool.

"All these big rains we've had ---- it gets flooded every time (here)," he said, questioning why builders of a new housing development just down the road didn't build a bridge to accommodate commuters or a tunnel for drainage.

Katherine Sandoval ---- whose job is to hold a sign at Bradley and Newport roads advertising a new housing development in Menifee ---- said she was soaked and freezing. Sandoval, 16, just got the job about a month ago, and hasn't had to endure too much rain ---- until Saturday, she said.

"I'm sick," she said. "If it pours too much, I don't know if I can stay."

Her mom had been calling her on her cell phone throughout the day, checking on her daughter's condition. Sandoval said she had been excited about getting the job, which pays $9 an hour.

When asked if she was sorry she took the position, she said, "today I am."

In other portions of Southwest County, road closures forced commuters to seek new routes.

Julie Hoxmeier, a sergeant with the Murrieta Police Department, said the whole Old Town district in Murrieta is closed due to flooding from Murrieta Creek. Kalmia Street is closed at New Clay Street and Fourth, Fifth and Hayes avenues, and Ivy Street is closed from New Clay to Hayes. Guava Street is closed from Jefferson Avenue to Adams Avenue.

There was some good news, however, she said.

"In the last three days, we've had no major accidents (in terms of) major injuries or fatalities," she said. "We're looking pretty good as far as accidents are concerned."

Doyle, the National Weather Service forecaster, said temperatures, which should reach into the mid- to upper 50s today, are expected to cool down a bit this evening, with lows in the 30s.

Showers will continue through Monday, finally moving out of the area on Tuesday, he said. The rest of the week is expected to be mostly sunny, warming up to the mid-60s by Wednesday.

Although Southern California usually experiences periods of soggy weather in January, Doyle said the length and intensity of the recent storms is unusual.

So far this month, more than 3 1/2 inches of rain have fallen, and about 16 inches have fallen since the start of the weather season, which is July 1. Normal cumulative rainfall for this time of year is 3.24 inches, according to temeculaweather.com.

Contact staff writer Kelly Brusch at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or kbrusch@californian.com.

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