SAN DIEGO — The city of San Diego on Monday declared a state of emergency due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Mayor Todd Gloria says the city has activated its emergency operations center.
“Our emergency responders will continue to address impacts around the clock,” Gloria said. “The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at Lincoln High School for residents displaced by the flooding. I strongly urge residents to avoid any flooded areas and any non-essential travel.
Gloria said the city will coordinate with other local, state and federal agencies “to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to reported flooding in San Diego neighborhoods.”
Hundreds of rescues were performed from flooded homes in Beta and surrounding streets in the Southcrest neighborhood, as well as 24 rescues from the Tijuana and San Diego rivers and from vehicles on flooded roads, the center said. San Diego Fire Rescue Department He said. No deaths have been reported at this time.
Residents across the county felt the impact of the storm, which brought very wet conditions. It caused the closure of a number of roads and schools, delayed highways, and cut off electricity for thousands.
As of 3:03 p.m., rainfall totals range from just under an inch in Borrego Palm Canyon to nearly five inches in Point Loma, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.
FOX 5 captured videos of a cyclist riding on a flooded street, with water covering more than half of a parked vehicle, a man using a paddleboard as transportation, and people carrying luggage through waist-deep water.
Check back for updates on this developing story.