SAN DIEGO — Looking back at the storm on January 22, a lot of cars were damaged in the flood, some completely submerged while others were picked up and moved by the rushing water. CBS 8 checked in with one woman who lost four cars that day.
On the day of the flood, CBS 8 cameras found homeowner Stacey Crawford, who lives on South 42nd Street in Mountain View, wading through knee-high water in the road looking for her car.
CBS 8 chief photojournalist Kenny McGregor asked, "So you don't know where your car is?" Crawford replied, "No, I don't know where it is."
When Stacey eventually found her car after the flood waters receded, it was four houses down in her neighbor’s yard. Another one of her cars was also picked up by the water and sent into the middle of the road.
WATCH FULL VIDEO: Woman walks through flood waters to find car
Altogether, the flood on January 22 destroyed all four of her vehicles. Two of those cars were covered by insurance and two were not. CBS 8 caught up with Crawford recently to see how her insurance claims went.
“That was actually the easiest transition, the cars," said Crawford four months after the flood. "We were back up in cars in about a week-and-a-half, which I mean that was crucial for getting things done, you know, you have to have a vehicle to get things done.”
Using the payout from their insurance claims, Crawford and her husband were able to buy two brand-new Chevy Bolt EV’s, but the other two cars were a total loss.
As for house repairs, they were approved for an SBA disaster relief loan, which helped to pay for new flooring, drywall, appliances, and new furniture.
“I actually got a couch for the first time last week, and I’m telling you now, take advantage of sitting on your couch when you can because when you don’t have one, it’s amazing to have one," said Crawford with her trademark smile. "I haven’t had a couch in four months.”
Now four months later looking back, she still can’t believe what happened that day.
“I look at the footage now and still I’m in disbelief that there was a river in the street," said Crawford. "It baffles me that that could happen here.”
She told CBS 8 that despite the setbacks, neighbors on her street have banded together and shown resilience during this difficult time.
“In this neighborhood, I think we’ve all actually held our smiles on our faces and kept positive," said Crawford. "We’ve had block parties and everything and just learning our neighbors and learning everything about them. I think as a community we’ve done well to stay positive."
WATCH: Four months after the flood | San Diego residents still digging their way out of disaster