San Diego officials reach out to storm-hit residents

Family members clean mud from a home damaged by flooding, with the floodwater line visible on the house, the day after an explosive rainstorm deluged areas of San Diego County on Jan. 23, 2024 in San Diego, California | Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

In response to the barrage of storms wreaking havoc across San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria and City Councilmember Vivian Moreno have initiated a comprehensive outreach effort to aid affected residents.

This initiative, announced through a press release on Feb. 5, aims to provide crucial support and information to those impacted by the devastating floods.

Mayor Gloria stressed the importance of swift and cohesive action from all levels of government and community organizations during emergencies. He highlighted the dedication of city staff and volunteers, who have been actively engaged in affected communities since Jan. 22, ensuring residents are informed about available resources and services.

Meanwhile, Councilmember Moreno echoed the urgency of the situation, particularly emphasizing the pressing need for housing and resources in severely affected areas like Southcrest. 

She emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting the San Diego Housing Commission’s hotel placement program, which aims to provide safe accommodations for displaced individuals and families.

The outreach initiative involves door-to-door visits by city staff and volunteers to disseminate vital information in both English and Spanish. This includes information on emergency preparedness, housing assistance, trash disposal and sandbag distribution. 

Additionally, residents are connected with essential services such as the Local Assistance Center at Mountain View Recreation Center and temporary shelters operated by the American Red Cross.

What’s with the hotel placement program?

A key component of the assistance efforts is the hotel placement program managed by the San Diego Housing Commission, partially funded by the city. Plans are also underway for a more long-term housing assistance program by the county.

To bolster these efforts, Mayor Gloria, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, and the Housing Commission have announced the use of a former hotel in Midway to house 59 families affected by flooding. 

The Housing Commission has already assessed 256 households, with 158 referred for temporary hotel stays and nearly 100 connected to other help. 

Emergency housing assessments are happening at places like the Jackie Robinson YMCA and the Balboa Park Municipal Gym. These centers offer various services to support storm-affected residents. 

As of Feb. 8, the region is now starting to dry out after receiving varying amounts of rain, according to the National Weather Service.