By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Mayor Todd Gloria on Wednesday spoke directly with Vice President Kamala Harris about the impacts of the severe rainfall caused by the 1,000-year storm that pummeled San Diego this week and devastated neighborhoods in southeastern San Diego.
“As San Diego begins to recover from an extraordinarily rare and powerful storm, it was comforting to receive Vice President Harris’ sincere offer to be helpful in our time of need,” Mayor Gloria said.
The Vice President called Mayor Gloria late Wednesday afternoon and expressed her desire to help.
Mayor Gloria urges affected residents to fill out a survey that San Diego County will use to determine the residential financial losses caused by the flooding.
“We need the public’s help,” Mayor Gloria said,“If you suffered losses due to the floods, please fill out the survey as soon as possible.”
“Families in Southcrest, Mountain View, Encanto, Mount Hope and Shelltown lost their homes and their valued possessions. In many cases, their lives were forever changed in the span of 20 minutes or less.
For a list of road closures, power outages, where to locate a missing vehicles, and for more information about City of San Diego storm recovery efforts, visit SanDiego.gov/storm.
“We are working with the state and county governments to demonstrate that we have met the thresholds to secure a federal disaster declaration so we can mobilize even more assistance that our affected communities and families desperately need.”
Residents and business owners may also be eligible for assistance from the federal Small Business Administration (SBA).
The County has asked the SBA to approve the Physical Disaster Declaration Loan Program. SBA Inspectors will be surveying damaged properties in the coming days and weeks to determine if thresholds for the program are met. If approved, this program would provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the flooding.
As part of a separate effort, the City is close to concluding the process of estimating financial costs due to damage to public facilities and assets. That information will be transmitted to the state Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) through the County of San Diego. If countywide costs to public facilities reach $15.1 million and statewide losses reach $72.7 million, the federal government can consider a disaster declaration, triggering financial assistance to reimburse the City for repairs.
Both the assistance for public facilities and assistance for residents require a federal disaster declaration.
Mayor Gloria proclaimed a state of emergency in the City of San Diego on Monday afternoon. The County of San Diego followed suit on Monday night. Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in San Diego and Ventura counties on Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, Monday was the fourth wettest day in San Diego since 1850.
Stormwater teams continue to conduct inspections on City levees and storm channels, and emergency work to clear debris that flowed into storm culverts via floodwaters starts on Friday. Teams from the City’s Transportation Department will continue to remove mud and sand from streets and addressing damage to public sidewalks and streets.
The City’s Environmental Services Department is removing accumulated trash and debris from storm-impacted communities. Residents can report bulky items left in the public right-of-way using the City’s Get It Done app under the category of “Illegal Dumping” or by calling 858-694-7000. Hazardous Waste items such as light bulbs, paint, oil batteries, propane tanks, gas cylinders and tires can be scheduled for pickup. They should not be placed in the public right-of-way.
San Diegans who have experienced damage to their homes or vehicles are encouraged to work directly with their insurance company to submit claims.
For more information about City of San Diego storm recovery efforts, visit SanDiego.gov/storm.
