In a matter of minutes Monday morning, communities across southeastern San Diego were transformed into disaster zones: Families fled their homes in chest-deep floodwaters; vehicles were swept downstream as roads became rivers; residents cried for help from their rooftops. A deluge of rainfall from what city officials are calling a “thousand-year storm” forced hundreds of rescues, flooded an untold number of homes and businesses and caused millions of dollars in estimated damage. The floodwaters had mostly receded by Tuesday afternoon, revealing the devastating aftermath of California’s latest climate emergency — and leaving hundreds without housing and transportation, and with ruined valuables and personal belongings.

Related articles: 

• The San Diego Union-Tribune: Does your California homeowners insurance policy cover floods?
• San Diego Union-Tribune: Here’s how much rain fell around San Diego County — and which 8 cities broke records
• NBC 7 – San Diego: Day after storm, San Diego County sees widespread damage 
• USA Today: Flooding makes fourth wettest day in San Diego – Photos
• The Hill: Emergency declared in San Diego due to flooding from record rain
• AccuWeather: Flooding, mudslides in Southern California as San Diego has its wettest January day
• Fox 5 – San Diego: Flooding, contaminated water ransacks ranches along Tijuana River Valley