SAN DIEGO — With the oncoming storm and significant rainfall expected Thursday, fears of more flooding are running high amidst an evacuation warning issued by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for flood-prone areas affected by last week’s storm.
“Trying to prepare for it and batten down the hatches as best I can,” said Ratibu Shujaa, who lives in Southcrest.
The warning calls for the voluntary evacuation of parts of the City of San Diego including floodplain areas of Southcrest, Mountain View, Encanto, San Ysidro, Sorrento Valley, and Mission Valley.
“I’m not going to be around because it’s frightening to be here with that much water coming your house, so we’re going to go to a hotel or something tonight,” said Southcrest resident Ramon De La Mora, who lives near Beta Street.
City crews have been working to set up a temporary flood barrier at the Southcrest Trails Park, which backs up to the Chollas Creek storm channel.
“We can only hope for the best, you know, expect the worst,” said Shujaa. “No matter how much work they do, we just hope they’re doing the right work in the right places because it can have devastating effects out here.”
The City of San Diego has been towing cars in the flood zones to clear roadways ahead of Thursday’s storm so as not to hamper any rescue or cleanup efforts.
“If your car’s not working right now and it’s just parked, it’s an obstacle in the way to cause more backage,” said Shujaa. “They trying to get everything out as best they can, and they’ve been towing a lot of cars left and right.”
The City distributed sandbags directly to impacted neighborhoods Tuesday and Wednesday to help neighbors prepare for Thursday’s storm.
“We’re very worried to lose more of our stuff, whatever we have left right now,” said Daisy Rodriguez, who told CBS 8 her two children are fearful of what could happen if the storm channel overflows again.
“They’re pretty worried and they’re afraid. They’re afraid of coming home, they’re tired of the mess, you know, they just want to see something different. They want their toys back. They don’t have anything to play with.”
The City of San Diego has set up a shelter for evacuees at the Balboa Park Municipal Gymnasium, 2111 Pan American Road where they’ll have meals, showers, and beds. Any pets will be accommodated.
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