SAN DIEGO — It's been one month since the January 22 storm swept through San Diego County and left massive flood damage in its wake.
The most affected areas were in Southeast San Diego where the flood control channel overflowed, mud poured into homes and cars were under water. People and pets were rescued from the rising waters. Three died connected to the storm in the county and after the water receded, hundreds of homes were destroyed.
Flood survivors in Southeast San Diego still reeling from January’s devastating rains saw a glimmer of hope today as FEMA inspectors arrived in their neighborhood.
“It took exactly a month to get the help we’ve been dying for," said flood survivor Karen Hernandez.
She lives on South 42nd street in Mountain View and says her appliances were destroyed and pictures were ruined.
“It's been a month, but you still find dirt in places that you've swept and cleaned up so many times, there is no finishing,” said Hernandez.
The mother says on Sunday she registered with FEMA and today, inspectors walked through her home.
It was a similar scene on Beta Street where the home Elvira Paulin rents was damaged.
“When we are here standing and see everything and then comes the clean up it's too much,” said Paulin.
The inspection is an important step to get aid from FEMA.
“It is important even with insurance to register now because maybe two months from now they get a letter from insurance that they don’t qualify,” said FEMA Media Specialist Maria Padron.
FEMA aid for flood victims
She says currently there are about ten Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews fanned out across the affected areas. Survivors have until April 19 — 60 days — to apply for aid.
To register by April 19 you can call FEMA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 800-621-3362, FEMA website or download the FEMA app.
FEMA is also planning to open command centers in the affected areas which will operate until the deadline or longer if needed.
Padron with FEMA says it’s also working to get a hold of families staying in hotels.
“We go to non-profits and we will go to different places where survivors are,” said Padron.
She says once survivors are registered an inspector will be sent out to verify the losses.
Hernandez shared a letter the inspector emailed her after the visit.
It says homeowners or renters will find out in 7-10 days if they are eligible for assistance.
Padron says money will be sent to their bank accounts by direct deposit.
“The sooner you apply the sooner you can get back on your feet,” said Padron.
But for many survivors hope for their future is clouded by the trauma.
“We lost everything, but the experience we had, we can’t sleep,” said Paulin.
And many say they can’t breathe. For some families staying at home, they’re being exposed to mold.
“We just changed out curtains with the house because there was mold growing on them,” said Hernandez.
She says staying in a hotel caused too much anxiety for the family. They feel it at home too and struggle to get ahead.
“It’s something that we are still dealing with especially with the constant rain that we are dealing with it doesn’t dry up,” said Hernandez.
Now they have hope seeing FEMA walk through neighborhood.
“Hope for the best and hope that they help us,” said Paulin.
When an update is available, CBS 8 will keep you informed about the command centers.
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