Key facts
- Alert
- High Wind Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, San Diego CA
- Areas
- San Diego County Inland Valleys; Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills; San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning; Riverside County Mountains; San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire; San Diego County Mountains
- In effect
- until 8:00 PM PDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.”
NWS San Diego CA, High Wind Warning, 8:41 PM PDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.”
NWS San Diego CA, High Wind Warning, 8:41 PM PDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Winds will be strongest this afternoon through early evening.”
NWS San Diego CA, High Wind Warning, 8:41 PM PDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind, such as patio furniture, trash cans and decorations. Do this before the strongest winds this afternoon through early evening.
Stay away from trees and power lines. The National Weather Service says damaging winds can blow them down and cause power outages. Consider having a flashlight and charged phone ready.
If you must drive, use caution. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel.
Context
The warning covers parts of Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Orange counties. FEMA flood-insurance claims in those counties date back to 1978: 1,649 in one, 867 in another and 2,447 in a third. These counts include only insured properties and mostly reflect flooding, not wind damage.
FEMA disaster declarations in these counties have mostly been for winter storms, flooding and wildfires. They include Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 and wildfires in 2020. They show past major events, not what to expect from this wind warning.
Updates
- The high wind warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM PDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 12:00 AM PDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the high wind warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM PDT.
- NWS San Diego CA issued the high wind warning until 12:00 AM PDT.
History here
This county: 1649 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4750 (2023): tropical storm hilary
- DR-4431 (2019): severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
- DR-4305 (2017): severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides
- DR-1952 (2011): severe winter storms, flooding, and debris and mud flows
- DR-1884 (2010): severe winter storms, flooding, and debris and mud flows
This county: 867 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4699 (2023): severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
- DR-4569 (2020): wildfires
- DR-1952 (2011): severe winter storms, flooding, and debris and mud flows
- DR-1884 (2010): severe winter storms, flooding, and debris and mud flows
- DR-1731 (2007): wildfires, flooding, mud flows, and debris flows
This county: 2447 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a High Wind Warning in the Inland Empire?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in San Diego has a High Wind Warning for the San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys, known as the Inland Empire. It remains in effect until 12:00 AM PDT.
- How strong will the wind be?
- The National Weather Service expects northeast to east winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Mountain foothills could see gusts up to 65 mph.
- When will the winds be strongest?
- Winds will be strongest this afternoon through early evening, according to the National Weather Service. Winds become more easterly tomorrow.
Sources
- NWS San Diego CA: High Wind Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.