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February 1980 Flood
Submitted by gc on Wed, 11/28/2007 - 6:45pm
Here's a Dr George Fishbeck weather video from the KABC-TV 7 newscast of the day before the San Jacinto levy had the disastrous break and flood of Feb 1980:
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"February 1980 rainfall (following excess rain in January) was record breaking in many (Riverside) County areas. Eleven stations with 50 or more years of record accumulated their highest February totals in history. (San Jacinto) Valley stations were approximately 360 to 430% of normal, mountains and foothills 400 to 510% of normal and deserts 590 to 820% of normal. The (Riverside County Flood Control) District had in place a substantial system of flood control facilities which were severely tested during the 1980 floods... |
" Also on February 21, 1980, a section of the San Jacinto River Levee immediately downstream of the junction with Bautista Creek Channel collapsed. An estimated flow of 25,000 cubic feet per second had undermined the rock toe revetment and coursed its way through a mobile home park and portions of the City of San Jacinto, with floodwaters several feet deep and causing extensive damage. Other than these two levee failures, the District's facilities performed well and prevented millions of dollars in damages. The City of Riverside saw none of the damages and flooding experienced in 1969, due to protection the completed 1970 bond issue projects and other projects had provided. However, the floods of 1980 also demonstrated a need for additional flood control and drainage improvements throughout the District, where the widespread flooding in western Riverside county accounted for at least ten deaths, and in excess of $70 million in property damage. " - Pictures of this and other local flooding at:
http://www.floodcontrol.co.riverside.ca.us/content/history.htm
Re: February 1980 Flood
I am purchasing a home in San Jacinto and I am looking for a good flood insurance but also one that wont break the bank... any suggestions?
S&E Wattier
Re: February 1980 Flood San Jacinto
I was on my way to work in Riverside, on the I-15 highway (which is now the I-215). I lived in Canyon Lake at the time in a waterfront home. I was headed north, and was in a Mazda GLC (a very small car). Luckily, I was behind a very large truck, because all at once, I was surrounded by headlight deep water, and the truck ahead of me parted the water for me, or I could have floated away. I didn't even see the water coming, because the swamp fog at the time was so dense, you couldn't see 25 feet ahead of you. Anyway, I turned my radio onto the emergency channel and heard of the San Jacinto dam break. Once I got to work, I heard that the sheriff was closing the highway soon, and that no one could get to Canyon Lake once they did, as Newport Road was totally covered by Salt Creek. I rushed to go back home, and got home by taking back roads, entering thru the East Gate of Canyon Lake. The water was still rising by at least 12 inches per hour, and came within a few feet of my flood plain deck below my house. People at the North End of Canyon Lake had water coming up thru their bathtubs and toilets, and the North Causeway was under water. We were unable to leave the house for 3 days. Power was out, so we used the BBQ and drank alot. Had huge losses in refrigerator goods. Water was going over the Canyon Lake Causeway by 5 ft. A truck carrying 2 people were washed over the East Gate Causeway, when they went around the street barrier. Lady was rescued, but man was killed. My husband along with several of my neighbors used their boats to look for his body. He was found 3 days later under someone's dock. Lots of other details, if anyone is interested. Hope everyone on low end of lake now has flood insurance. No guarantee I won't happen again.
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