ENCINITAS, Calif. — Rain fell again across San Diego County Monday, and people remained on alert as recent storms caused significant flooding and damage in the city of Encinitas.
“It's raining and cold,” Encinitas resident Aubrey Huffman said. “It was definitely an anomaly here. We're not used to it raining this much, so it definitely got heavier.”
CBS 8 broadcast footage of city crews monitoring storm drains and pumping stations for signs of flooding.
“You know, it's insane,” said Ryan Parker, who lives in the Leucadia neighborhood. “This is probably the second or third big storm we've had this year, so we're just hoping for some good.”
Two weeks ago, low-lying roads and alleys like those near North Coast Highway 101 and Europe Street were flooded with several feet of water in short periods.
“It was scary. Where I was standing right now, I was literally underwater,” said Pete Albanez of Lucadia Roadside Park.
“It was a pretty heavy rain. Just driving up and down the street, there was a lot of flooding,” said Lucadia resident Pat Muiragi.
On January 22, several stores, including the pottery studio Madhouse, were completely submerged in water.
“It's hard to know when it's going to happen and what you can and can't do to prevent it, so I'm just taking every precaution I can,” Madhouse owner Emma Storm Sabo said. ” he said. After the floods, she and her team lined buildings with sandbags.
“It looks okay so far,” Sabo said Monday as he checked on the building. “I'm worried about flooding because I don't know when the situation will change.”
Sabo gave CBS 8 a look inside the studio with a section of drywall cut away.
“This is a dehumidifier that Pacific Flood Restoration brought us and we've been running it for a little over a week to get the moisture out of the walls,” Sabo said.
The Madhouse has been closed for repairs for the third week, and Sabo says he is isolating.
“It's really heartbreaking,” Sabo said. “What I miss most is the community and the people I meet every day who come here and bring the energy that makes the studio what it is.”
Meanwhile, people living in Leucadia remained anxious as rain continued to fall all day on Monday.
“There's a bit of panic right now,” Muiragi said. “So when it rains, everyone starts thinking, 'How bad is it going to be?' And when you look at the damage, it's obvious. ”
For more information on storm preparedness, visit the City of Encinitas website.
If you would like to support The Mudd House's flood recovery and rebuilding efforts, a fundraiser has been launched.
