Dec 16, 2002
Almost two inches of rain fell in a two hour period, causing low lying roads and most creeks to flood. In Carlsbad, 5 women tried to cross a flooded bridge in a car, which stalled midway then floated downstream and overturned. Two women escaped, the other three drowned. Mudslides closed roads in Fallbrook and Lakeside. The Pacific Coast Highway was flooded in Huntington Beach for three hours. Many roads along the south slopes and foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains were closed for most of
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5321892). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Orange County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.