Surviving the 2024 Great Flood – NBC 7 San Diego

TL/DR –

Hundreds of families in San Diego were rendered homeless within hours due to a meteorological phenomenon known as “training” that caused a storm to dump three or four times the predicted one inch of rain. Neighborhoods in Southeast San Diego were hit hard by the ensuing flash flood, with residents scrambling to rooftops in an effort to escape. Duncan MacLuan, a local resident, detailed a harrowing account of the event, which saw the water rise inside houses, extensive property damage, and rescue operations being initiated.

Flash Floods in San Diego Render Hundreds Homeless

On Monday, San Diego was hit by a flash flood, leaving many homeless. The storm, forecasted for a single inch of rainfall, resulted in three to four times that amount due to a meteorological phenomenon known as “training”. Southeast San Diego, including Southcrest, was severely affected, with residents scrambling to rooftops as the floodwaters rose rapidly.

NBC 7’s crew, including video photographer Jeff Herrera, visited Beta Street, one of the most affected areas. Duncan MacLuan, a resident and construction worker, narrated his experience.

Duncan MacLuan: Woke up to heavy rain around 10:28 am. By 10:43, it was already 8 1/2 inches deep. By 11, my house was flooding, and by 1 pm, we were on the roof, with rescue operations underway.

MacLuan mentioned his neighbor’s dog Luna on the rooftop, and his car submerged as the water started to recede. He described the scene as a “raging river”, with water gushing everywhere. He recalled seeing cars and people being swept away by the water, with one person resorting to surfing on his truck.

Herrera then had MacLuan tour him around his damaged house. Duncan pointed out the water level that had reached as high as his chin and described how they scrambled to the rooftop for safety. He even mentioned neighbors fleeing to their rooftops with their pets. Despite being on the roof, they feared the situation would worsen as the rain continued.

MacLuan then showed Herrera his totalled 2018 Kia Soul and said he still owed $12,500 on it. He also showed them how the floodwater had moved heavy household items like his washer and dryer. He concluded that everything in his house, which was new, was a total loss, though he managed to save a valuable bottle of tequila. He was unsure if his renter’s insurance covered flood damage.

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