San Diego

After Hours of Overnight Work, Mission Begins Preparations for Second Round of Strong El Nino Storms

 After a long night of cleaning, California's oldest Mission has begun preparing for the second day of strong El Nino storms expected Wednesday afternoon.

Mission San Diego De Alcala flooded with a foot of water as heavy storms rolled into much of San Diego Tuesday afternoon, said Father Peter Escalante with the Mission.

The Mission, on the 10800 block of San Diego Mission Road, spent all night pumping out water from the main area of their church, where they hold Mass. Crews then began sanding down the floors.

The pews only had water on them for three to five hours, so Mission workers will have to assess in the future if they will need to be replaced.

Wednesday, Father Escalante said, their work is all about preparation. 

Hours before the second round is expected to hit, workers began preparing and placing sandbags in vulnerable areas in and around the Mission because they expect more flood waters to come in. Father Peter said he does not believe there should be any permanent damage.

They will be working through the day, hoping flood water once again doesn't fill the Mission.

Contact Us