San Diego County is officially in a state of emergency following Monday's devastating storm, which dumped record rainfall and caused widespread flooding. The County, preemptively declaring the emergency, hopes to quickly get the state and federal resources necessary to contend with the significant damage inflicted upon both public and private properties. The storm, which the San Diego National Weather Service office notes as the fifth wettest day for the city since 1850, has left residents grappling with the aftermath.
"County residents are recovering from serious impacts from this storm. Some areas of the County received several inches of rain in a short period of time, flooding streets, damaging homes, and businesses," Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas said, according to County News Center. She urged everyone to virtually ready themselves for future emergencies by registering for AlertSanDiego.org and downloading the SD Emergency app to receive critical updates and preparatory information.
The activation of the County’s Emergency Operations Center signifies the serious nature of the incident. The response strategy is being coordinated across County departments, in partnership with various cities, non-governmental organizations and first responders. Officials are slated to begin a comprehensive damage assessment today at 8 a.m., providing residents and business owners a channel to report their losses via an online platform.
With streets turned to rivers and homes submerged, the need for immediate action is apparent. The County emphasizes the importance for those affected to document their property damages quickly, directing them to crisistrack.juvare.com to make their submission. For the latest updates on storm response and preparedness, including weather conditions, affected residents are pointed to visit AlertSanDiego.org, an online resource offering real-time information in coping with the aftermath.
