San Diego is My Home

16
Apr

Shaky Ground

Author: HelenKay, Category: Emergency Situations, Neighborhoods, Weather

New reports this week say there’s a 99.7% of a major earthquake (magnitude 6.7 of higher) hitting California by 2037.  The odds are 93% for Northern California and 97% for Southern California. 

This sounds kind of awful but…uh, is this really a big surprise?  Isn’t it kind of like saying there’s a 99% chance of wildfires and mudslides in California?  These strike me as the obvious downsides of living here.  I’m thinking the scary part here is that the percentages are high enough to be considered a guarantee.  Suspecting an earthquake will hit and knowing it will are two different things.

Here’s the good news according to ABC News:

Knowing the likelihood of a strong earthquake is the first step in allowing scientists to draw up hazard maps that show the potential severity of ground shaking in an area. The information can also help with updating building codes and emergency plans and setting earthquake insurance rates.

I say we all start working on these projects.

29
Jan

Blame It On The Rain

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Weather

The beaches are not the place to be right now.  Thanks to seweage-laced runoff from Tijuana, the Coronado beaches are closed.  The closure goes from the Silver Strand to North Island.   Not to cause a panic, but the beaches near the border have been closed since November 30th. 

In other words, stay out of the water.   When the signs come down, you can go back in.

25
Jan

Rain, Rain, Rain!!

Author: HelenKay, Category: Weather

The news folks in this town tend to throw around descriptions like Storm of the Year a little too easily.  It’s hard to get excited when said Big Storms translate to, at most,  .02 inches of rain.  But, the National Weather Service is promoting this storm as well, so I thought I play into the panic. Ready?

For those who haven’t heard, the Storm of the Year is touching down on Saturday.  The County is under a flash-flood watch.  The predictions are for 2 inches on the coast and 6 inches in the mountains (except for those places high enough to get snow).  The areas affected by the October wildfires are at high risk for damage. 

So, enjoy the sunny afternoon then go home, close the windows, order a pizza and watch a movie on DVD.

05
Dec

Big Wave Day

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Weather

This morning was a surfer’s dream at Swami’s Beach (North County).  And by “morning” we’re talking 4:00am and shortly thereafter.  Ten to twelve foot waves greeted those brave enough to paddle around in 60 degree water, fight the currents and hunt down parking spaces.  By 9:00 a.m. the lifeguards had fished out some folks out of the water.

But all that good surfing has a downside (in addition to the water rescues).  Waves caused some structural damage to the Ocean Beach Pier, flooded Restaurant Row (near Swami’s Beach) and washed up at La Jolla Shores.  You can thank a storm  coming at us from Alaska for the good and the bad.  

For those who don’t surf and aren’t great in the water, it would be best if you watched from a distance.  For the rest - enjoy!

22
Oct

Fire

Author: HelenKay, Category: Emergency Situations, Weather

There really is only one story in San Diego today - fire.  What started as two fires - one near Ramona (being called the Witch Fire) and one near the border (being called the Harris Fire) - has turned into eight.  The Santa Ana winds are making it tough for firefighters to attack these from the air.  Highways are closed.  Courts are closed.  Some radio stations are off air.  Residential areas are on fire.  Rancho Bernardo is in trouble.  Chula Vista is in trouble.  That range gives you an idea of how many fires are out there and how big of an area they cover.

This one is very serious.  Potentially tragic.   For those who lived through the 2003 Cedar fire, this one supposedly is worse.   Sheriff Bill Kolender predicts this will be the worst fire ever in San Diego.

Be smart.  Be safe.  Evacuate if you’re in a danger area.  You can go to the Del Mar Fairgrounds or Qualcomm Stadium.  Go now. 

08
Oct

Some Good Football News

Author: HelenKay, Category: Sports, Weather

The Chargers won this weekend.  Actually, that’s not clear.  The real news is that the Chargers trounced the Broncos 41-3.  Isn’t that a fabulous score?  Just rolls off the tongue.  If only we could play the Broncos every weekend…  

Since the Santa Ana winds are acting up and red flag warnings are in effect for wildfires (ie, it’s dangerous out there), do not celebrate too hard or with fireworks.