Thousands of people began heading to the local mountains Thursday even before the snow stopped falling as a major winter storm hit San Diego County.
The National Weather Service reported that as of late Thursday afternoon, about a foot of snow had fallen on Mt. Laguna, at least 10 inches on Palomar Mountain and at least 8 inches in Julian. Interstate 8 was closed in both directions for several hours east of Alpine, forcing holiday travelers to find a different routes to their destination or plan to wait till the freeway opened.
Rainfall amounts in San Diego County ranged from about one inch at Sea World to close to two inches in many inland valley areas. The rain flooded some streets and intersections and forced the closure of some roads in Mission Valley along the San Diego River. Some drivers had to be rescued.
A large tree collapsed in National City during a winter storm Thursday, damaging cars parked on the street. No one was reported injured.
(Photo credit Marie Coronel 10News)