Strong wintry storm lashes region

SAN DIEGO - A strong late-autumn storm drenched the San Diego area today, flooding coastal communities, delivering mountain snowfall and ushering in a rash of traffic accidents -- including a fatality -- on the region's soaked commuter routes.

Early this morning, rain fell at a rate of near three-tenths of an inch per hour in the southwestern reaches of the county, according to the National Weather Service. Between 6 and 8 a.m., more than 1 inch of moisture accumulated in some areas, including Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Pacific Beach and San Ysidro.

By 10 a.m., the dow...