San Diego Organizations and Residents Step Up to Help Remedy Post Storm Damage

Local storm resources

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PHOTO: Storm drainage overflow in Encanto as a result of this week’s rains. PHOTO: Macy Meinhardt/ Voice & Viewpoint

By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE

The county of San Diego has been turned on its head after enduring large amounts of rain that overpowered the city’s flood prevention infrastructure. Luckily, our local community  organizations have come together to share resources for anyone impacted by the storm. Here’s a partial list of helpful resources below: 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

  • Red Cross number: 858-309-1200

  • Non-Emergency number: 619-531-2000

  • Life Threatening Emergencies: → DIAL 9-1-1

STORM RECOVERY LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER, Monday – Wednesday, 10am-7pm @ Spring Valley Library (see flyer):

Request a free Uber ($50 off) using code: SDRIDES2024

HEALTH RESOURCES:

    • Mental Health Services: Jackie Robinson Family YMCA (151 YMCA Way, San Diego, CA 92102). Resource team can be reached at [email protected] for connection to mental health support or referral navigation. 

BASIC NEEDS RESOURCES: 

Showers (towels & toiletries provided):

  • Jackie Robinson Family YMCA – 151 YMCA Way, San Diego, CA 92102

Laundry

  • South Bay Coin Laundry (1285 Broadway, Ste. 107, Chula Vista, CA) offering free washes and dryers on Sunday, 1/28 starting at 9am and continuing for 24 hours.

Clothing/Blankets/Food/Water (NEW & GENTLY USED):

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  • Jackie Robinson Family YMCA (151 YMCA Way, San Diego, CA 92102) and Pillars of the Community have clothing, shoes, blankets, diapers, and toiletries available. JIREH Providers beginning Friday, 1/26 will assist with direct distribution of free food, water, clothing, and blankets. 
  • Lincoln High School (4777 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113) is available for food, water, and other resources as needed. You are not required to stay in the shelter if you only need support for food/water.
  • For Gompers Preparatory Academy families and students ONLY (due to limited supplies and capacity), pick up free clothing at the GPA main office from 8:30am – 4pm.
  • Southcrest Recreation Center, Teen Room Center (4149 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113) is collecting and distributing clothing, blankets, toiletries, food, water, and other resources for families affected.

Internet Access:

  • The Mental Bar (6325 Imperial Ave Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92114) – Open daily 7AM – 4PM – offering a space for community members to connect and use the internet for school or work 
  • SDAccess4All Program – List of public facilities with open public Wi-Fi 

WHERE TO DONATE:

LIST OF DONATION NEEDS:

Deliver to Jackie Robinson Family YMCA during the week, between 8am – 7pm.

  • NO MORE CLOTHING
  • Brooms and Mops
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Bleach
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Trash Bags
  • ZipLoc Bags (Gallon)
  • NEW Underwear / Socks (Women, Men, and Kids)

REPORTING & COMMUNITY CLEAN UP:

  • To report flooding: Please contact the City’s dispatch center Station 38 → 619-527-7500

EMERGENCY SHELTERS & HOUSING RESOURCES:

  • For residents impacted by flooding and storm damage: The Red Cross has opened an overnight emergency shelter at Lincoln High School (4777 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113) and pets are allowed. The shelter is available for food, water, and other resources as needed. You are not required to stay in the shelter if you only need support for food/water.
    • If you need help finding housing, please call Kristina Buckner at (619) 807-8946. 
  • If you need help finding housing/transitional housing, please call Veronica Hosey at (909) 272-7187. 

SANDBAG PICK UP LOCATIONS FOR DISTRICT 4 & 9:

If needed, sandbags are available at the following recreation centers. Sandbags are limited to 10 bags per City of San Diego household or business, and sand is not provided.

Council District 4: Martin Luther King Recreation Center- 6401 Skyline Drive, San Diego 92114

Council District 9: City Heights Recreation Center- 4380 Skyline Drive, Landis St. 92105

ROAD CLOSURES:

MTS ALERTS:

  • Bus service is operating a full schedule but some roadway detours still remain in effect. This is an evolving situation as repairs are made and service is restored. Riders are encouraged to plan ahead by contacting Information and Trip Planning for the latest information 619-233-3004 (available 5:30am to 8:30pm), or checking the latest on the Alerts and Detours page.

From the Mayor’s Office: 

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS:

  1. Swift Water Rescues: The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s swift water rescue team actively responds to multiple locations, including the San Diego River, central parts of the City, low-lying areas near the coast, and the Tijuana River Valley. Hundreds of people have already been rescued from homes and flooded areas.
  2. Emergency Shelters: The Red Cross has opened an overnight emergency shelter at Lincoln High School. Pets are allowed at 4777 Imperial Ave. for residents impacted by flooding and storm damage. Additionally, the City has opened a temporary shelter at the Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive, which will remain open until 9 p.m. Monday
  3. Road Closures: Numerous roads in Mission Valley and other communities are currently closed. For an updated list of road closures, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/storm/road-closures
  4. Relocation of Shelter Residents: Due to flooding, the City is temporarily relocating individuals staying at the City’s 16th & Newton Bridge Shelter to the Balboa Park Activity Center and some residents at the 20th & B Safe Sleeping site to Golden Hall
  5. Inclement Weather Shelter Program: The Inclement Weather Shelter Program has been activated, and people experiencing homelessness can directly access beds at designated locations. For a list of locations, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/homelessness-strategies-and-solutions/services/inclement-weather-shelter-program 

“Top 10 Tips for People Affected by Winter Storms 

Provided by the CA Department of Insurance

  1. Obtain a complete copy of your residential homeowners’ insurance policy, including your declarations page. The law requires your insurance company to provide this to you free of charge within 30 days of your request. Review the definitions section of the policy including types of water damage that is covered and excluded. Ask your agent or insurance company representative to explain how much coverage you have and how to most effectively claim your benefits.
  2. Homeowners policies do not cover flood damage, but they may cover other kinds of water damage. For example, they would generally pay for damage from rain coming through a hole in the roof or a broken window, as long as the hole was caused by strong winds or any other covered exposure listed in the policy. If there is water damage, check with your insurance company representative as to whether it is covered.
  3. Damage caused from fallen trees are generally covered under all standard homeowner policies. There may be exceptions. Please consult with your agent or your insurance company.
  4. Damaged vehicles as a result of flood or fallen trees are generally covered under the “Comprehensive” or “Other than Collision” portion of the auto policy. Check your auto insurance declaration page to see if this optional coverage was purchased and in effect at the time of loss.
  5. Check your deductible and assess the situation. If the damage is below the deductible, the insurance company would not be obligated to pay. Of course, move forward to report the damages to your insurance company if the damages exceed your deductible.
  6. Make temporary repairs to prevent your property from further damage. Take pictures and keep records of all clean up and repair costs. Don’t make permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster sees the damage.
  7. Document all of your conversations with your insurance company/adjuster about your claim and policy limitations in a dedicated “claim diary.” If your adjuster says something is excluded, limited, or subject to certain conditions, ask the adjuster to point out the specific provision in your policy being cited.
  8. Get at least one estimate or bid on the cost to repair your home to get a reasonable sense of the actual cost as compared to your coverage limits. This estimate can be compared with an estimate prepared by your insurance company.
  9. Before you hire a contractor, check their licensing status, including any complaint registered with the Contractors State License Board. View the CDI’s electronic brochure Don’t Get Scammed After a Disaster.
  10. Call the Department of Insurance Hotline at 800-927-4357 or through online chat at: insurance.ca.gov