Rain brings flooding to Fallbrook

Officials throughout San Diego County are reporting roadway flooding as the first in a series of storms moves through the region.

The California Highway Patrol is reporting water in the vicinity of Potter and East Fallbrook streets in Fallbrook, but say vehicles are still driving through the area.

Quarry Road in Spring Valley has been closed between state Route 125 and Lakeview Avenue due to flooding, as has Lemon Crest Drive between Wintergardens Boulevard and Riverview Avenue in Lakeside and Country Club Drive in San Marcos, according to the county Department of Public Works.

As a reminder, the Public Safety campaign, "Turn Around, Don't Drown," reports that each year more deaths occur to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over half of all flood related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths are due to walking into or near floodwaters.

"People underestimate the force and power of water," Weather.govlink reports. "Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream."

According to the website, many of the drownings related to flooding are preventable but, too many people continue to drive around the barriers warning of flooded roads.

It only takes 6 inches of fast moving flood water to knock over an adult and 12 inches to move a small car, 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

"It is never safe to drive or walk into floodwaters."

City News Service contributed to this story.