San Diego County experienced the single wettest day of the century on Monday, and residents are reeling from the damage.
Calling the storm “unprecedented,” local leaders as well as Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and are preparing to request funding relief from state and federal agencies.
In the meantime, residents have begun the massive task of assessing damage to their communities and cleaning up their homes and neighborhoods.
inewsource reached out to state and local authorities to see what residents affected by the damage should do now. Following is a summary of what they said with links to resources you may need:
If you have insurance:
Most California home, renter and commercial insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by flooding, mudslides and other similar disasters. If you don’t have one already, get a copy of your home insurance policy. Your provider is required to give this to you within 30 days of asking, free of charge.
Review the definitions section of the policy. If you don’t have flood insurance, some types of water damage might still be covered.
“For example, they would generally pay for damage from rain coming through a hole in the roof or a broken window, as long as the hole was caused by strong winds or any other covered exposure listed in the policy,” according to the California Department of Insurance, or CDI.
Your policy may cover damage from fallen trees.
Talk with a representative from your insurance company about how much coverage you have and the best way to claim your benefits based on your circumstances.
Document those conversations about your claims and policy limitations. If the adjuster tells you something is “excluded, limited, or subject to certain conditions, ask the adjuster to point out the specific provision in your policy being cited,” according to the CDI.
If you’re having issues with your insurance, call the CDI at 1-800-927-4357. See CDI’s website for more tips and guidance.
If your vehicle was damaged:
California only requires drivers to have liability insurance, but if you have a comprehensive policy, damage to your car from flooding as well as from fallen trees is likely included.
Check your auto insurance declaration page to see if you’re covered under your policy.
And if you happen to be looking for your vehicle after it was lost in the storm, visit the San Diego Police Department’s towing and impound page.
If other property was damaged:
San Diego County leaders are encouraging residents with damage to their homes and businesses to fill out a survey to help assess the damage. The survey will help authorities apply for funding that could help affected residents, but there is no guarantee of financial aid for those who fill out the survey.
Take pictures of the damage to your property, both for your own records and to submit to the county’s survey. The county said photos submitted to the survey should “clearly show the flooding impact being reported, such as a water line.”
Make sure to also document cleanup and any repair costs.
Temporary repairs can protect your property from additional damage, but the California Department of Insurance recommends not pursuing permanent repairs until an insurance adjuster can assess the damage.
County leaders said Thursday that residents of unincorporated areas who have damaged property or debris to get rid of, they can dispose of it by placing it in public roadways. San Diego County is working with a contractor to collect waste.
If you need shelter or additional help:
As of Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Red Cross was still operating one emergency shelter at Lincoln High School after closing two other shelters. The San Diego Humane Society was also onsite to provide shelter for displaced pets.
The Jackie Robinson family YMCA in Southeast San Diego is offering showers and mental health services for those affected. It’s also accepting donations for blankets, pillows, jackets, towels and personal hygiene products.
You can also seek food assistance or report flood damage at 211 San Diego.
Vist Alert San Diego and click on the recovery tab to learn about eligibility for state and federal assistance. Under the preparedness tab, you can search locations for sandbag pickup for the storm that the NOAA has said may arrive as early as Jan. 31.
Download the San Diego Emergency application for Android, or iPhone for future storm updates.
For those who have resources to give, San Diego Foundation has launched a donation drive called San Diego Flood Response Fund and will be matching donations.
Various GoFundMe fundraisers have also been started to help individuals, families and local businesses, compiled in an article here by San Diego Magazine.
Editor’s note: This information may be updated. See something missing? Let us know at contact@inewsource.org.
Sources: California Department of Insurance, City of San Diego, County of San Diego
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
