By Neil Farrell
Several large tree branches broke off and street maintenance crews were out clearing storm drains. The numerous storm drains that empty directly into the harbor were running fast with runoff.
Rainfall totals broke records for July, which is normally dry in these parts.
Morro Bay Fire recorded 1.82 inches of rain over Saturday and Sunday. Before that storm, we’d gotten just 2.83 inches for the whole season. The new total is 4.65 in., but normal rainfall is around 16. Cambria got 1.34 in., Los Osos 1.69, and San Simeon just .63.
The rains were what was left of hurricane Delores, which hatched in the Eastern Pacific tropics in late June, tracked up Baja and then out to sea, sending waves of moisture this way and a south swell to local beaches, but quickly losing intensity.
Though the rain caused extensive damage and some mudslides in Southern California, it was pretty mild here, as high winds one might associate with such storms didn’t materialize.
Like Morro Bay, South Bay Fire in Los Osos reported no major problems caused by the storm
And while the lure of good surf might be very tempting, readers are advised that this significant rain also washes the streets and hard surfaces of litter, contaminants and of course, bird guano that has built up over the previous months.
Indeed the storm drain at the Surf Street stairs, which lead down to the waterfront, collected a lot of litter Sunday washed down from the bluffs above.
Water quality in both the bay and Estero Bay could be pretty bad for at least a few days.
The weather was predicted to return to normal Tuesday.
