SAN DIEGO — Even the latest and greatest stormwater systems could not handle the heavy rain that pounded San Diego and flooded entire neighborhoods on January 22.
That was the message from San Diego's Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Kris McFadden, during a January 25 news briefing.
McFadden called Monday's storm a "thousand-year storm event" that would have overwhelmed any stormwater channels such as those in south San Diego neighborhoods that within minutes saw up to four feet of water rush onto city streets and into their homes.
"If we get another 1000-year storm event it will all happen again," said McFadden.
The Deputy COO said that the city has worked tirelessly to maintain existing storm channels and drains in Southeastern San Diego as well as drains and channels throughout the city.
McFadden said that the Chollas Creek watershed presents several issues that are unique to that area. Notably, McFadden says that the Chollas Creek watershed in Southeastern San Diego sits downstream from La Mesa, Lemon Grove, as well as from the storm drains along Interstate 15 and the 805.
"This is a creek," explained McFadden. "So, when people think about this system, and when you look at one location, you have to look at the bird's eye view of this entire area, I cannot stress how important that is."
During the briefing, McFadden stressed the size and scope of Monday's rain as playing a major factor in the flash floods that have crippled entire neighborhoods and resulted in Mayor Todd Gloria's decision to designate the area as a state of emergency.
"Speaking to an engineer today, he said the calculations showed that the storm was most likely higher than a 1000-year storm event," said McFadden. "Even a storm drain system that was designed to the golden standard today, a 100-year storm event, would have failed under this situation."
San Diego Flood | FEMA Maps
Added McFadden, "I know that doesn't work for cleaning people's homes. It doesn't save their precious memories. But it does serve as an important benchmark for us to meet. And that we know we have to strive and we have to do better. And we are."
McFadden's comments come after countless complaints and media reports from nearby residents who say they warned the city time and time again about clogged storm drains and the need for maintenance.
Many residents told CBS 8 that they see flooding in even the weakest of storms, let alone in a storm as large and powerful as Monday's storm was.
McFadden looked to address those complaints and explain that the city has and will continue to maintain the storm channels in their neighborhood.
"Under this mayor's leadership, we obtained $733 million of low-interest loans, one of the only kind ever in United States history for stormwater so we can get in and do proactive maintenance that is so desperately needed," said McFadden.
And, as a new storm approaches, forecasted to hit San Diego next week, McFadden said city crews are now clearing the channels and drains and also hired an outside contractor to help in the efforts.
Watch the full Storm Channel Media Briefing (Jan 25):