The last in a series of strong, early season storms brought record heavy rain to the coast and valleys, and dumped two feet of snow at the mountain resorts. This storm sent October rainfall totals to record levels in most locations, and brought a quick end to what could have been another disasterous fire season. San Diego Lindbergh Field ended October with 4.98 inches of rain, making it the wettest October since records began in 1850. Many ski resorts in the San Bernardino Mountains were open by Halloween...something that hadn't happened in over 30 years. The storm caused widespread urban flooding and sent mud and rocks sliding down hillsides and canyons all across the area. Strong thunderstorms also raked across Orange and San Diego counties, bringing even more heavy rain, small hail, and gusty winds. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 2.00 to 4.00 inches or more from the coast to the mountains, and between 0.50 to 1.00 inch in the deserts. As a result, October rainfall totals ended between 1000% and 2000% above normal in the coast, valley, and desert locations, and between 500% to 900% above normal in the mountains.

Flash Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 13:00:00 to 27-OCT-04 13:05:00 (PST)
Location: SAN DIEGO
Property damage: 0
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

The San Diego River was near flood stage when it swept a homeless man away near Ward Road in Mission Valley. He was rescued by two men in the vicinity who happened to hear him call for help.

Heavy Snow in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 01:30:00 to 27-OCT-04 13:03:00 (PST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Numerous spotters and members of the public reported 2 feet of snow in Big Bear. Most of the 2 feet fell within a 12 hour period. Roads were made impassable and the weight of the snow snapped tree limbs and knocked out power to the area. Some local ski resorts benefitted with their earliest opening ever.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 15:21:00 to 27-OCT-04 17:00:00 (PST)
Location: PERRIS
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

Heavy rained caused the San Jacinto River to flood and several vehicles became stuck in flood waters along Dunlap and San Jacinto Avenues.

Flash Flood in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 01:05:00 to 27-OCT-04 01:10:00 (PST)
Location: RIALTO
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

Water and mud rushed across Lytle Creek Road just north of Glen Helen Parkway.

Heavy Snow in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 03:00:00 to 27-OCT-04 15:00:00 (PST)
Property damage: 0
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE

The top of the Palm Springs Tramway saw 14 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. The depth of the snow exceeded 36 inches on top of Mount San Jacinto (10,834 ft).

Flash Flood in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 15:00:00 to 27-OCT-04 17:00:00 (PST)
Location: DEVORE
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

Heavy rains in the foothills and mountains washed a large quantity of water and mud across all lanes of interstate 215 near the 15 merge. The interstate had to be closed for several hours while crews cleaned up the mess.

Flash Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 03:45:00 to 27-OCT-04 03:50:00 (PST)
Location: VISTA
Property damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy rains at Gopher Canyon left 1 1/2 feet of water across roadways.

Debris Flow in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 14:07:00 to 27-OCT-04 14:07:00 (PST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

A rock slide two to three feet deep covered highway 243 at mile marker 25.

Flash Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 09:21:00 to 27-OCT-04 09:27:00 (PST)
Location: WARNER SPGS
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Heavy rain washed out 2 sections of S2 near highway 79 at mile markers 2 and 3. Mud and rocks also came down across the road.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 07:09:00 to 27-OCT-04 07:15:00 (PST)
Location: PERRIS
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Swift moving water washed out a small portion of Highway 74 near Mapes Road.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 05:32:00 to 27-OCT-04 05:35:00 (PST)
Location: LAKE ELSINORE
Property damage: 0
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

Heavy rain caused water and mud to run across Temescal Canyon Road at Horsethief Canyon Road.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 07:30:00 to 27-OCT-04 08:30:00 (PST)
Location: SUN CITY
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Seven people had to be rescued from their vehicles when they became trapped in a flooded intersection in Sun City. The flood waters were four feet deep at the time of the rescue.

Flash Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 08:40:00 to 27-OCT-04 08:48:00 (PST)
Location: BORREGO SPGS
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

12 vehicles became trapped in mud when heavy rains caused a mud flow to run across Overland Stage Road at Scissors Crossing.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 08:21:00 to 27-OCT-04 08:25:00 (PST)
Location: LAKE ELSINORE
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

Heavy rains and runoff caused a large sink hole to form in the slow lane of south bound Interstate 15.

Flash Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-OCT-04 05:40:00 to 27-OCT-04 08:00:00 (PST)
Location: RAMONA
Property damage: 0
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

Heavy rain caused Klondike Creek to overflow across a 25-30 ft section of Wildcat Canyon Road near San Diego Country Estates.