A major storm, spanning multiple days beginning Sunday evening, is expected to create potentially dangerous flooding throughout San Diego County, forecasters said.
The storm could drop mountain snow and 2 to 4 inches of rain across the county, with a moderate to high risk of flooding Monday through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
A flood watch will be in effect from 4 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Wednesday, which includes San Diego and the county coastal cities of Carlsbad, Vista, San Diego, Escondido, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Poway, Encinitas, Borrego Springs, Santee, Julian, Oceanside, Pine Valley, San Marcos, National City and La Mesa.
A wind advisory went into effect from 8 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday, and will include the cities of Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego.
Due to potential harsh weather conditions, an emergency shelter at 2111 Pan American Plaza is open to the public and can be reached at 619-525-8262. Services at the shelter will include places for displaced people to stay, meals, snacks, crisis counseling, help replacing medication and pet support from the San Diego Humane Society.
Alert San Diego has provided residents with all other information regarding flooding and can be found at the following links:
- Flood preparation information, www.alertsandiego.org/en-us/preparedness.html
- Emergency information, www.alertsandiego.org/en-us.html
- Recovery information including cleanup, medicine and additional helpful resources, www.alertsandiego.org/en-us.html
Residents can also text HELP to 98266 to get safety information.
The United Taxi Workers of San Diego is helping impacted residents get to the temporary shelter at no charge. To schedule a ride customers can call 619-280-4444 or use the “Ride United” passenger application. Residents seeking services should provide a pick-up location and select “Balboa Park Municipal Gym” or “Mountain View Community Recreation Center” as their drop-off location, county officials said.
A temporary homeless shelter has been set up at the Balboa Park Activity Center, which can be found at16th Street and Newton Bridge Shelter.
The Department of Public Works is picking up flood-damaged debris and items from homes in the unincorporated communities impacted by the flood. Pick-up in unincorporated areas can be reached at 858-495-5700. Additional storm recovery resources can be reached by dialing 211.
The county advised against putting debris near curbs during rainy weather, where it can wash away and cause a hazard, officials said.
Although the storms proved milder than expected, officials advised the public against letting its guard down in light of the predicted imminent arrival of another significant storm.
“With a forecast of additional rain coming next week, starting Monday … Mayor (Todd) Gloria has asked the public to remain vigilant and prepared,” a city statement said. “Local forecasts … indicate that a slow-moving storm will bring two to three inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday.”
This week’s storm, and the next in line, come close behind a spate of historically heavy downpours that left roadways, commercial districts and residential neighborhoods underwater across the region. The wettest day during that storm, Jan. 22, delivered the highest 24-hour rainfall amounts in San Diego since 1850, according to the National Weather Service.
The inundation, which washed away many a parked car and heavily damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, prompted the city and county of San Diego, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom, to declare states of emergency.
Since then, authorities have been taking steps, including monitoring tens of thousands of storm drains, to prevent more storm-driven destruction, Gloria said during a recent news briefing. He urged those who live or work in flood-prone areas to remain proactively vigilant as well.
“Now is not the time to remove your sandbags,” the mayor said. “We can’t predict Mother Nature. She’s unpredictable.”
City of San Diego residents can pick up sand and sandbags on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at recreation centers located throughout the city. Sandbags are limited to 10 per household or business. Visit http://sandiego.gov/storm for locations.
The city and the San Diego Housing Commission have opened a new 50-room shelter at a former hotel site in the Midway district to provide a refuge from those impact the recent storms.
“Providing shelter and support for our neighbors whose lives were upended by the storm is a top priority,” City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said. “These creative options were possible through collaboration between the city, county, the Housing Commission and state of California. The road ahead of us is long, but this quick and meaningful action shows that we can create creative housing solutions when we all work together.”
The county’s Assessor’s Office, Public Health, Behavioral Health, Public Works and Department of Environmental Health and Quality will be at the City Assistance Center to provide services to those impacted by the storms.
Updated at 5:20 a.m., Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
City News Service contributed to this article.
