By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–Amidst the aftermath of last week’s destructive rainstorm, city of San Diego crews are working tirelessly to clear streets, address infrastructure damage, and assist impacted residents.
The relentless rainstorm resulted in substantial debris and mud accumulation in several neighborhoods, including Southcrest, Shelltown, Mountain View, and Encanto.
As part of the ongoing cleanup initiative, more than 1,443 tons of mud, debris, trash, and bulky items have already been removed from the affected areas. City teams, collaborating with the Environmental Services Department, are actively engaged in the proper removal and disposal of hazardous materials such as paint, oil, and batteries.
The deployment of heavy equipment has been a crucial element in clearing storm debris from culverts along Chollas Creek. Recent efforts focused on channels along 38th and Alpha Streets in Southcrest, Beta and Birch Streets, and the stretch between Akins and Imperial Avenues in Encanto. Emergency contractors joined forces to clear seven channel locations near National and 33rd Street, as well as Federal and Home avenues.
With rain forecasted for February 1, residents in impacted areas are urged to prepare for potential wet weather and develop plans to avoid low-lying areas should another storm occur. Preparation tips can be found at Ready.gov/floods.
In a proactive measure, sand and empty sandbags will be made available at 10 City recreation centers starting on Tuesday from 1 to 7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring their shovels for self-filling. Additionally, severely impacted communities will receive pre-filled sandbags delivered to their neighborhoods.
To provide further support, a Local Assistance Center will be operational at the Spring Valley Branch of the San Diego County Library, located at 836 Kempton St. in Spring Valley. Open from January 29, to January 31, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., the center will offer resources for anyone affected by the storm throughout San Diego County. Information will cover debris and household waste removal, erosion control, rebuilding permits, replacement of vital records, and more.
Over the next three days, county and city teams will conduct preliminary damage assessments to evaluate the potential for state and federal disaster assistance. Residents and businesses in the City of San Diego who experienced flooding during the storm are encouraged to report their damage through the County of San Diego’s online survey.
Stay informed with the latest updates on the city’s website at sandiego.gov/storm. The collaborative efforts of citywide recovery reflect the resilience and solidarity of the San Diego community in the face of adversity.
