A series of punishing winter storms pummeled the Peninsula last week, delivering whipping winds, pounding rain and mammoth ocean swells that damaged the Ocean Beach Pier. At times, torrential rainfall flooded coastal streets, stranding several motorists along Midway Drive and Sports Arena Boulevard and keeping emergency crews hopping. Heavy wind gusts toppled at least a dozen power poles, and San Diego Gas & Electric reported isolated outages across the city. Meanwhile, ocean surges kept even the bravest of surfers out of the water. Although no ocean rescues were reported in Ocean Beach and Point Loma during the back-to-back-to-back storm series that lasted from Monday through Friday, the OB Pier sustained minor damage from surges and wind blasts that hammered at the structure. Several stranded motorists were caught by surprise during the downfalls and had to be carried or escorted to safety, according to Lt. Nick Lerma of Lifeguard Services. “We were concerned about two issues going into it,” said Lerma. “That was the amount of rainfall and the flooding associated with it. We know several areas are prone to flooding … including Ocean Beach and Point Loma. When we get heavy, steady rainfall like we did, drains don’t drain and people get caught in an area they are unfamiliar with and don’t know how to escape the situation.” The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded at least 3.1 inches of rain for the week at Lindbergh Field. The airport typically receives 11 inches of rain annually, according to Dan Atkin, meteorologist for the NWS in San Diego. Waves were at their peak during the heaviest portions of the storm Wednesday and Thursday last week, reaching up to 20 feet and spawning a high-surf advisory. During those same two days, the city’s Fire-Rescue Department responded to 53 traffic accidents, 12 downed power lines and made 31 river water rescues, according to spokesman Maurice Luque. As the series of storms brewed, crews took the appropriate precautions, said Sgt. Jon Vipond of Lifeguard Services. “We were ready for it,” Vipond said. “We knew the challenge and we were prepared for the large surf and flooding. We deployed efficiently and got the job done to avoid serious repercussions.”