Although the storms proved milder than expected, officials advised the public against letting its guard down in light of the predicted imminent arrival of another significant storm.
”With a forecast of additional rain coming next week, starting Monday … Mayor (Todd) Gloria has asked the public to remain vigilant and prepared,” a city statement said. ”Local forecasts … indicate that a slow-moving storm will bring two to three inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday.”
This week’s storm, and the next in line, come close behind a spate of historically heavy downpours that left roadways, commercial districts, and residential neighborhoods underwater across the region. The wettest day during that storm, Jan. 22, delivered the highest 24-hour rainfall amounts in San Diego since 1850, according to the National Weather Service.
The inundation, which washed away many a parked car and heavily damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, prompted the city and county of San Diego, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom, to declare states of emergency.
Since then, authorities have been taking steps, including monitoring tens of thousands of storm drains, to prevent more storm-driven destruction, Gloria said during a recent news briefing. He urged those who live or work in flood-prone areas to remain proactively vigilant as well.
”Now is not the time to remove your sandbags,” the mayor said. ”We can’t predict Mother Nature. She’s unpredictable.’
The city and the San Diego Housing Commission have opened a new 50- room shelter at a former hotel site in the Midway district to provide a refuge from the impacts of the recent storms.
”Providing shelter and support for our neighbors whose lives were upended by the storm is a top priority,” City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said. ”These creative options were possible through collaboration between the city, county, the Housing Commission and state of California. The=road ahead of us is long, but this quick and meaningful action shows that we can create creative housing solutions when we all work together.”