Residents who have been affected by flooding from last week's storms are being asked to make accommodations for the city of San Diego's preparations for the next round of rain.
A week after the storm, the largely affected areas of Southcrest, Encanto and Mountain View have been clearing out their flooded homes of debris and flood-soaked items. The city of San Diego has asked residents to pause their cleanup so crews can clear mud along the street and inspect storm drains. Residents who need their sidewalks or storm drains cleared should call (619) 527-7500, the city said.
Several flooded-out vehicles still line the streets of the hard-hit neighborhoods. The city of San Diego aid the vehicles may need to be towed. Impound fees will be waived for vehicles in certain areas for up to 30 days and owners should call for help at 858-495-7830.
Dozens of angry San Diego residents gave emotional testimony at a San Diego City Council meeting on Monday, claiming lack of action to prevent flooding in the largely in less affluent Southeast San Diego neighborhoods.
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Several residents spoke about community members wading, swimming and diving in dangerous flood waters to clear storm drain obstructions. City emergency crews rescued hundreds of people from flooded cars and homes in Southcrest, as well as from fast-moving waters in Mission Valley.
The council ratified Mayor Todd Gloria's declaration of emergency in a 7-0 vote with the intent of making it easier to receive disaster relief.
Gloria said he spoke by phone with FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton on Monday, where he "underscored the immense pain San Diegans are living through and his commitment to being their voice as we clean up and rebuild," according to a statement from the mayor's office.
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The FEMA Region 9 team and California Office of Emergency Services personnel in San Diego County, surveying and inspecting the region's initial damage estimates.
"Mayor Gloria and Administrator Fenton promised to stay in close contact as this process moves forward," according to the mayor's office. "Mayor Gloria will continue to advocate for the greatest possible level of resources to be approved as swiftly as possible through Cal OES and FEMA."
Through the weekend, the city's stormwater crews cleared channels along 38th and Alpha streets in Southcrest, Beta and Birch streets and between Akins and Imperial avenues in Encanto.
“So far, 3,117 tons of mud, debris, trash and bulky items have been removed from the areas of Southcrest, Shelltown, Mountain View, Encanto and others,” Joe Scuri Battalion Chief, Incident Management Team said.
“Pre-filled sandbags will be delivered for residents in communities severely impacted last week,” Scuri said.
The county encouraged residents to obtain sandbags in anticipation of this week's storm. Showers are expected to begin as early as Wednesday night through Friday, with a chance of heavy rain hitting Thursday.
LIST: Where to get free sandbags in San Diego County
Flood victim gets ready for next San Diego storm
NBC 7 spoke with a victim of last week's flooding, Julia Barragan, who says she is traumatized and worried about the next round of storms.
“The storm is coming again. I mean what else could we lose? We already lost everything," Barragan said.
“We were only able to save the kids clothes and our clothes, but everything else is gone," she added.
Amid preparing for this next storm, Barragan has received some help.
"We still have to clean the house. We still have to take out everything. The only people that are able to help is our neighbors. Our neighbors have been here ever since the beginning," Barragan said.
“We are just getting help from people, from neighbors, we haven’t seen no help from anybody else," she said.
“They tell us to go in shelters, but it’s hard. The only ones that were able to help us is San Diego Unified School District, they gave my kids a voucher for 10 days at a hotel, but after that, we don’t know what we’re going to do," Barragan said.
