Wind-Packed Storm Topples Trees and Dumps Upwards of an Inch of Rain in San Diego County

One of the windiest rainstorms of the winter blasted San Diego County Saturday, downing trees — including one in Balboa Park that crushed cars — stranding drivers on flooded freeways, and trapping a hiker on a water-swept cliff in La Jolla. The winds gusted to 68 mph on Palomar Mountain, 60 mph in Coronado, 53 mph on North Island, 52 mph in Solana Beach and Carlsbad, and 50 mph on Silver Strand. The National Weather Service issued a special wind warning for San Diego International Airport out of concern that the storm would affect flights. The airport got gusts up to 46 mph.