More than a thousand people were displaced by the historic floods on Jan. 22, when millions of gallons of water coursed through their San Diego County neighborhoods.
Part of the rebuilding process meant leaving their homes — and, often, emptying the contents of the first floor, where the water and moisture destroyed photographs, rugs, personal papers and electronics, as well as furniture.
San Diego Flood News
A lot of them, if not most, are making do without the assistance that flood insurance could have provided or are waiting on aid from FEMA. So, airing out their homes and doing mitigation, many are returning to what are essentially empty rooms.
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Which is why it was welcome news Thursday when it was announced that, this weekend, anybody with identification showing that they live in flooded areas can go down to National City, and, for free, pick up tables, desks, cabinets and chairs.
The event — which was hosted by CalHomeCo, Lepe Tendwell Properties and Zero Point Loans — took place on Saturday at 205 East 8th St.
Over 100 people attended Saturday's event, according to CalHome Co.
"It just came to because I knew that there's a huge amount of furniture — it's almost just a win-win because it helps me clear out this building, and then it also helps them because hopefully they can have furniture that's usable for them," said Henish Pulickal, the CEO of CalHomeCo.
A news release sent out by CalHomeCo, said the local nonprofit Barrio Station would be "assisting CalHomeCo in directly connecting with the families affected by the floods."
A spokeswoman for CalHomeCo said that the real estate company bought a furniture store last year and is donating its contents — "there is furniture for at least 100 families," she told NBC 7 — to San Diegans impacted by the flooding.
Pulickal is a local developer. He found himself in a unique situation when he purchased the furniture store along East 8th St. in National City.
"You'll find there's brand new furniture back here that's just buried," said Pulickal.
Pulickal showed NBC 7 the back room of the building. There are seemingly endless piles of unopened and brand new furniture, along with some lightly used pieces as well.
This event is for people like Amy Gonzalez, who told NBC 7 that her family lost everything in the flood. They lined up bright and early on Saturday morning; they were one of the first few people in line.
"Some sofas would be nice, or some chairs. Lights, lamps because we don't have lamps to at least put in the house while we work," said Gonzalez. "We lost everything, so anything helps really," she added.
Several of the people waiting in line for this donation drive had a similar story to tell.
"Right now I'm looking for a house — another place to live, and this could help. Tables, chairs, whatever I can get. It'll save us more money instead of paying out of pocket," said Gerardo Hernandez. He was one of several people waiting in line.
CalHomeCo told NBC 7 that because of how much furniture they have, they plan to hold another event in the near future once they've sifted through the piles of furniture.
