Hot and humid conditions that have kept the San Diego region simmering for much of September continued Wednesday as the region cleaned up from a tree-toppling storm generated by the unsettled monsoonal atmosphere.
As of 7 p.m., less than 220 homes and businesses from El Cajon to Point Loma remained without electrical service due to the squalls that swept through the county Tuesday afternoon, according to San Diego Gas & Electric. All affected areas were expected to be back on line by early Wednesday evening, the utility reported.
However, with more thunderstorms expected to develop over the mountains and deserts, the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood watch for the mountains and deserts late Wednesday morning. About 5 p.m., with the unsettled conditions abated, the agency canceled the alert.
On Tuesday, heavy rain and hail pounded the county, and stiff winds sent trees and power lines crashing down onto roads, cars and buildings. No injuries were reported, but the mayhem left property owners facing expenses for damage and public-works crews with plenty of cleanup work.
About 6 p.m. Tuesday, gusts tore a hangar off its moorings at Montgomery Field airport in Serra Mesa, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The structure blew into several airplanes, knocking two of them over and causing a roughly 30-gallon fuel spill.
Students at schools without air conditioning in San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado and National City were sent home early Monday and Tuesday as remnants of Tropical Storm Odile swamped the region.
While the Coronado, National and Sweetwater districts planned to maintain a minimum-day schedule again Wednesday, the San Diego Unified School District has opted to return to a normal schedule for all schools.
About two-thirds of SDUSD schools were put on minimum-day schedules for two days earlier this week, including Clairemont, Crawford, Garfield, La Jolla, Madison, Mira Mesa, Mission Bay, Morse and University City high schools.
Repairs were underway on air conditioning systems, and portable cooling units were installed in some bungalows, according to the district.
People trying to beat the heat can head to more than 100 air-conditioned buildings, such as libraries and recreation centers — dubbed "Cool Zones." A list of county Cool Zones is available at CoolZones.org. or by calling 211.
Forecasters urged the public to schedule outdoor activities for the cool of the morning or in evening, to take frequent breaks in shady or air- conditioned areas and to know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Those planning to be outside were advised to wear light, loose clothing and to drink plenty of water.
A cooling trend was expected to begin Thursday and bring temperatures back down to near-normal readings by the weekend, the NWS advised.
