With a major winter storm forecasted for Friday and lasting into the weekend, City of San Diego crews have been busy clearing drain pipe in zones known to get backed up during heavy rain.
According to the City of San Diego, over the past three weeks, city crews have been cleaning drain pipe to prepare San Diego’s storm water infrastructure for more heavy rain. The City of San Diego said Thursday that during this time, crews have also inspected 24 channel locations and removed loose debris that could cause clogging.
Urgent repairs and checks were completed at pump stations as well, and, according to a press release from the city, “Crews performed spot repairs and replaced deteriorated pipe to improve drainage in problematic areas.”
At the Vactor work site located on the 3200 block of F Street in San Diego, City Public Information Officer Anthony Santacroce said crews were working to clear debris.
"This is an issue area for us. What happens is large debris comes off the highway or is left there…clothes, cardboard, bits of furniture, things like that clog that big 42 inch diameter site," he said. "We’re here weekly making sure it is unclogged."
As the storm approaches, City officials say they are also checking pump stations and placing 'No Parking' signs in streets prone to flooding.
"We have a big checklist of areas throughout the City we know to pay special attention to and make sure they're in optimal working condition to handle the storm," Santacroce said.
Santacroce also shared tips on how residents can prepare their properties for the looming storm.
"Citizens can do small scale what the city does large scale," he explained.
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That includes sweeping up debris on their property to avoid clogging drains, inspecting their property for trees or branches that may become an issue during the rain or wind, and securing objects that may blow away or fall over.
NBC 7 spoke to some residents Thursday who said they aren't looking forward to the storm but will take precautions.
“I'm going to stay inside. I'm glad my daughters aren't going to school because of President's Day,” Melissa Gamboa said.
If residents see anything life-threatening, they are asked to call 911.
Otherwise, when the storm hits, San Diegans are asked to report flooding and downed trees by using the Get It Done app.
NBC 7 meteorologist Jodi Kodesh said light rain and a breeze early Friday will be replaced by intense rain and winds by 4 p.m.
“This is one of the most powerful storm systems we’ve seen in a really long time,” she said. “Please heed these warnings.”
Get First Alert weather updates from NBC 7 here.
