The Leucadia neighborhood of Encinitas was one area that felt the brunt of Thursday's storm, especially in the late morning when a flash flood warning was in effect and numerous streets were closed due to the flooding.
Lots of standing water and water flowing down streets made for some hectic moments for residents who say they have been through this before.
Water was pooling and flooding the streets across the neighborhood. Cars were doing everything they could to get through without getting stuck. Water was pouring off roofs, and a park on Pacific Coast Highway was completely underwater.
"I see a lake of Leucadia," Pete Albanese, a longtime resident, said. "This has been going on for the past couple of weeks now with the recent rains."
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Residents in the area say a lack of rain and flood infrastructure has been a known issue for years.
"The city would rather spend money on the streetscape project without putting adequate drainage," Albanese said. "We got to take care of the residents here and the businesses to make that they can sustain and make a living. The city has ignored this for decades."
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Just a few blocks north, a heavy midday downpour forced business owners to act quickly to prevent damage to their business.
"This morning was almost deja vu, but the property owners' handymen were here, put up the sandbags and got the secondary pump going. It saved it from coming in the shops again," Debbie McCarver, owner of Leucadia Floral and Plant, said.
Last week, McCarver's parking lot saw multiple feet of water and businesses two to three feet underwater. Three businesses were forced to shut down due to the water damage.
Thursday wasn't great, but proactive measures paid off.
"If we keep the sandbags on standby and the second pump, I think we can get through it. I just feel bad for the three businesses that have shut down because of the damage," McCarver said.
An Encinitas councilmember said the recent rains and problems they've experienced have made it clear they need to deal with the drainage problem and can't put it off any longer.
Leucadia is part of the city of Encinitas. To date, Encinitas has spent, borrowed or allocated $35.6 million for the Leucadia Streetscape Project according to city officials. The city is currently constructing segments of the drainage system under the roundabouts as part of the Streetscape project. The goal being to allow future segments of the drainage project to connect with segments of pipe under the roundabouts.
