The fallout from January's devastating floods in National City is intensifying, with business owners and residents taking legal action against the City of San Diego and other entities. This surge of lawsuits aims to address the alleged negligence that exacerbated the flood's impact on commercial ventures and homes.
Two National City business owners are seeking reparations for the considerable losses incurred during the January 22 floods. Cesar Alcaraz and Jesus Garcia, proprietors of Alcaraz Appliances and Star Auto Group, respectively, seek accountability for the severe damage to their properties and the resultant economic distress. Alcaraz, whose store was inundated, told NBC San Diego, "Every minute, the water kept rising to the point of reaching our knees." The complaint accuses local authorities of neglecting the drainage systems' maintenance, attributing the catastrophic property impacts and significant losses to this oversight.
As reported by CBS 8, lawsuits against the City of San Diego are piling up, with nearly 1,500 claimants to date. Plaintiffs point to prior flood incidents in 2018 and 2019 as indicators of the well-known flood risks associated with the Chollas Creek storm channel. They argue that despite warnings and historical precedent, the city failed to adequately prepare or respond to the January storm. The result was extensive property damage and distress for thousands, leading to costly evacuations and temporary relocations for affected residents.
Alcaraz's and Garcia's lawsuit is seeking $40 million in damages, claiming that their losses, which include an entire inventory for Alcaraz and about 17 vehicles for Garcia, could have been prevented with proper drainage maintenance. "I've lost so much, I've invested so much in my business, and in order for me to find something else as close to what I had is going to be really hard, and it's going to be really expensive," Garcia communicated to NBC San Diego.
San Diego's response to these allegations has been muted, with city departments refraining from public comment due to active litigation. The Port of San Diego, while not commenting directly on pending legal matters, extended sympathy to those affected, with a statement to NBC San Diego expressing an intent to review the case upon receipt of the lawsuit. As the legal battles unfold, many eyes will be on the city officials' closed session meeting set to take place Monday, where the lawsuit and its implications for the city and its citizens will be at the forefront of discussions.
