At a Glance
- At least 11 swift water rescues after 2026’s first rainstorm in San Diego.
- A man trapped under a bridge in Mission Valley was rescued by lifeguards.
- National Weather Service issued a river flood warning through Friday.
- Why it matters: Rising river levels caused multiple rescues and prompted a flood warning, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to sudden storms.
San Diego’s Mission Valley saw a dramatic rescue as a man was pulled from waist-high water beneath a bridge during the region’s first rainstorm of 2026. The incident was part of a series of 11 swift-water rescues that prompted a flood warning from the National Weather Service.
Rescue Operation
Fire crews and a lifeguard swift-water team responded at 11:16 a.m. Thursday to reports of a man stuck in waist-high water on the north side of the San Diego Riverbed under Route 163. Lifeguard crews reached the scene at 11:24 a.m. and successfully extricated the man, who was then transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Candace Hadley said:
> “Lifeguard crews reached and successfully extricated the man after 11:24 a.m. He was then transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”
- 11:16 a.m. – Fire crews and lifeguard swift-water team responded to reports of a man stuck in waist-high water.
- 11:24 a.m. – Lifeguard crews reached the scene and extricated the man.
- Man transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Weather Warning
The National Weather Service issued a river flood warning for the San Diego River in Mission Valley that will remain in effect through Friday. The warning follows the sudden rise in river levels that triggered the rescue.
Key Takeaways
- At least 11 swift water rescues were conducted after the first 2026 rainstorm.
- A man was rescued from waist-high water under Route 163.
- A flood warning remains in effect through Friday.
The swift-water rescues underscore the importance of rapid emergency response during sudden weather events, while the ongoing flood warning reminds residents to stay alert.
