After one powerful storm struck Southern California in late February, a second storm arrived at the end of February and into early March. This second storm produced several additional feet of snow as well as high winds in the mountains, where many communities were already struggling due to snow and wind impacts from the first storm. This led to many gas leaks from failing lines that started home fires, extended road closures, numerous power outages, many downed trees, about 250 rescues from mountains in the area, as well as at least one confirmed storm-related death, and an extensive recovery process that lasted well beyond the event. About 12 persons were reported dead, though the causes of the other 11 are uncertain at this time. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was approved following this event.

Winter Storm in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An historic winter storm continued to produce heavy snowfall across the Riverside County Mountains on March 1st. Additional snowfall of 1-2 feet occurred across many mountain communities above 5,000 feet in elevation. Notable 7 day storm total snowfall amounts include 64 at the top of the Palm Springs tram on Mount San Jacinto, and 34 near Idyllwild.

Flood in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 05:30:00 to 01-MAR-23 06:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: RED HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flooded low lying areas at SR 55 and I-5. About 0.8 inch of rain fell in the area at the time.

Winter Storm in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

An historic winter storm continued to produce very heavy snowfall in the San Bernardino County Mountains on March 1st. The final round of snow with this storm resulted in additional snowfall totals of anywhere from a few inches at some mountain communities between 5000-6000 feet in elevation, to upwards of 2-3 feet at many ski resorts. This resulted in storm total snowfall amounts ranging from 9-12 feet in many ski resorts, 5-9 feet of snow in many mountain communities at or above 6000 feet in elevation, 2-5 feet of snow at elevations between 5000-6000 feet, 1-3 feet of snow at elevations between 3000-5000 feet, and some reports of accumulating snow at elevations as low as 1000 feet. Some notable reports from February 22 to March 1 include 150 at Snow Valley, 134 at Snow Summit on Bear Mountain, 115 at Mountain High near Mount Baldy, 108 near Lake Arrowhead (32 inches in 24 hours), End of Baldy Road at 6400 feet with 103 inches (40 inches in 24 hours February 25-26), 100 in Crestline (35 inches in 24 hours February 25-26), 95 in Arrowbear, 82 in Big Bear Lake yard, 76 in Forest Falls, 64 at Top of the Tram Mt San Jacinto 8400 feet, 63 Angelus Oaks, 56-62 in Wrightwood 5800 to 6200 feet, and 58 inches at Baldwin Lake (east Big Bear city) and Palomar Mountain at 5700 feet.  Multiple reports of roofs collapsing due to snow load were received from the Lake Arrowhead and Crestline areas, resulting in several rescues. The Goodwin Grocery Store in Crestline had its entire roof collapse. Recovery efforts from this winter storm spanned several weeks after the storm itself. State highway closures lasted up to 3 weeks including Highways 18 and 330. Several hundred rescues occurred, some by snowcat, of residence from February 28 to March 10. Gas service was interrupted to thousands with up to 700 service calls. There were 12 homes burned by fires related to gas pressure damage from the heavy snowfall. Only emergency personnel (up to 1000 at peak) for rescue and snow removal were allowed into the mountains on state highways through mid March. Initially helicopters from CalDART and California National Guard delivered food and supplies. Later meals were provided at selected locations for the entire month of March for those displaced or not able to drive. Ski areas were closed from a few days (Mt Baldy) to 2 1/2 weeks (Snow Valley).

Heavy Rain in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 11:26:00 (PST-8)
Location: ARCILLA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Temesecal Valley reported storm total rainfall of 1.37 inches.

Winter Storm in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An historic winter storm continued to impact the San Diego County Mountains on March 1st, producing heavy snowfall across the region. Additional snowfall of 1-2 feet occurred mainly near Palomar Mountain and Mount Laguna during this time. Storm total snowfall of around 58 was observed on Palomar Mountain.

Flood in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 05:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SOUTH FONTANA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans: #3 and #5 lanes on I-10 East at Cherry Ave Exit were flooded due to heavy rainfall.

Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 05:45:00 to 01-MAR-23 06:45:00 (PST-8)
Location: VALLE VISTA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans: SR-74 at Blackburn Road was closed due to the road being completely covered with mud about 1 foot deep.

Flood in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 06:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SAN BERNARDINO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The intersection of I-210 and 5th street was flooded after 1.10 inches of rain had fallen in the area, over the course of 8 hours.

Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: EUCALYPTUS HILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans: Rocks fell into the road on the northbound lanes of Wildcat Canyon Road at Muth Valley Road.

Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 07:15:00 to 01-MAR-23 08:15:00 (PST-8)
Location: LAKELAND VLG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans: Mudslide blocking the entire #1 lane.

Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 07:30:00 to 01-MAR-23 08:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORDWAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans: Mud, small boulders, and rocks coming off the side of the hill and into the road.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 05:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESCANSO
Magnitude: 38.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Photo of a large tree landing on Descanso Elementary School Building shared by San Diego Office of Education. West winds gusted to 44 mph on a nearby RAWS site at 5 AM and 11 AM.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CANYON ACRES
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report of 1-inch tree limbs broken and roof shingles blown off.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 13:45:00 to 01-MAR-23 14:45:00 (PST-8)
Location: TALBERT
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large mature pine tree was knocked down near the intersection of MacArthur and Main Street. Tree diameter was estimated to be around 3 feet, with lots of debris and branches also down.

Winter Weather in SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS - THE INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An historic winter storm brought snowfall down to lower elevations in the Inland Empire on March 1st. Areas near Riverside, Chino, Moreno Valley, Corona, and Perris observed rain changing to snow, though much of the snow in these areas melted on impact with the ground. Areas near Yucaipa, Banning, and Beaumont reported accumulations of up to 1 inch occur.

Winter Weather in ORANGE COUNTY INLAND, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An historic winter storm brought snowfall down to inland portions of Orange County March 1st. Areas Yorba Linda reported accumulating snowfall of up to 0.5 inch occur. A mix of snow and snow pellets was also observed near Orange, Brea, and Los Alamitos, most of which melted upon reaching the ground.

Winter Weather in ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A mix of snow and snow pellets was observed in San Juan Capistra on March 1st.

Heavy Rain in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: YUCAIPA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near Yucaipa reported storm total rainfall of 1.65 inches as of midday on March 1st.

Heavy Rain in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SAN MARCOS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near San Marcos reported 24hr rainfall totals of 0.95 inch.

Heavy Rain in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Location: MT HELIX
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter near El Cajon reported storm total rainfall of 0.75 inch.

Avalanche in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 02-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 02-MAR-23 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Mt Baldy ski resort was closed due to avalanche in Bowl Alley near the entrance to the ski area or the end of Mt Baldy road. The area received 110 inches of snow in the prior 7 days at 6500 feet and close to 150 inches at 8000 feet.

Flash Flood in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-23 05:00:00 to 01-MAR-23 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: RED HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Report from CalTrans of Sig Alert, Closure due to flooding at transition of I-5 and Highway 55. About 0.8 inch of rain fell in the area at the time.