Flood and sewage cleanup in San Diego

San Diego floods rarely, then all at once

On January 22, 2024, 2.73 inches of rain fell at the airport, the wettest day in its record since 1939. Chollas Creek overflowed and several feet of water filled homes in Southcrest and Shelltown (KPBS). San Diego County recorded 213 federal flood insurance claims for 2024, with $19.9 million paid. Where San Diego floods.

Smaller versions of the same thing happen every wet winter: runoff down a hillside into a lower floor, a storm drain that backs up into a garage, a sewer line that overflows when the ground is soaked.

What cleanup involves

1. Safety first. Stay out of standing water that may touch outlets or cords. Wear boots and gloves; flood water carries sewage.
2. Pump and extract the water and mud.
3. Remove porous materials it touched. The EPA's guidance is that carpet, pad, drywall and insulation soaked by sewage or flood water usually can't be cleaned and should be thrown out.
4. Clean and disinfect hard surfaces, framing and slab.
5. Dry with dehumidifiers and air movers, checked with moisture readings.

Flood insurance claims per year, San Diego County

Which policy pays

Water that came in from outside during a flood is excluded from standard homeowners policies; it needs a flood policy. The federal flood program covers up to $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents, and a new policy usually takes 30 days to start (FloodSmart). In San Diego County, 56% of paid flood claims were on properties rated outside the high-risk zones, so "not in a flood zone" doesn't mean it can't flood.

A sewer backup is different again. Many homeowners policies exclude it unless you bought a water backup endorsement. Check before you call it in, and photograph everything first either way.

Mold after a flood

The EPA says to dry within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. After a big storm, every restoration company in the county is busy at once, so remove wet carpet and pad yourself if you safely can, and get air moving while you wait. Mold removal.