San Diego, CA
Will disastrous flooding force San Diego to finally fix its storm drains?
Hundreds of San Diegans are assessing the damage caused by Monday’s flash floods, which washed away cars, caused a sinkhole in Miramar and blanketed homes and streets in Southcrest with mud and debris.
The intense rainfall in the span of just a few hours laid bare the longstanding inadequacies of San Diego’s stormwater infrastructure. And it provided a glimpse into the future, when climate change is likely to hit low-income communities of color the hardest.
For decades, politicians and bureaucrats have swept the stormwater problem under the rug. Major storms are still relatively rare, and surface-level infrastructure needs like potholes tend to draw the most attention from constituents.
The result is a staggering $1.6 billion in unfunded needs for the stormwater system. That deficit has more than doubled in the past five years. It’s now larger than the unfunded needs of the city’s roads, sidewalks and streetlights combined.
But as San Diego tries to prepare itself for more extreme and unpredictable weather, the recent floods could force the city to finally make long-term fixes to its network of stormwater channels a top priority.
What are stormwater channels?
A stormwater channel is a fancy urban planning term for a river or stream. Some are lined in concrete while others are more natural looking and full of vegetation. They can be exposed to daylight or run underground in tunnels.
Many of San Diego’s underground channels were built more than 50 years ago and have reached the end of their useful life. The city’s Stormwater Department is trying to replace or repair them proactively and does regular inspections to see which ones have the most urgent needs.
But the stormwater system is so vast that officials don’t always know which parts are the closest to collapse. The Stormwater Department also doesn’t have enough staff or funding to inspect and fix all the channels in a timely manner.
That means often, underground channels fall apart unexpectedly and the city has to do emergency repairs — like they’re currently doing on Miramar Road. Those are more expensive, and they require diverting resources from proactive repair projects, which have to wait longer to get funding. This is why the backlog of repairs has gotten so much worse in recent years.
Why are stormwater channels so hard to fix?
Repairing underground stormwater channels requires digging with heavy machinery — and doing so carefully to avoid damaging water, sewer and electrical infrastructure. These projects require a high level of skill and expertise, so the city has to offer competitive wages to recruit the laborers and engineers who can get the job done safely.
The channels that are exposed to daylight are difficult to maintain for different reasons. These are often naturally occurring creeks and streams and provide habitat for native species. If the city wants to clear them out so water can flow through more quickly, it needs permits from outside agencies, such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Securing those permits takes years. Sometimes permits require the city to purchase land elsewhere and relocate the vegetation they remove from the channel to ensure there is no net loss of native habitat.
Tom Snyder, director of the city’s Stormwater Department, told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday that San Diego has about 200 segments of flood control channels and the resources to do maintenance on about four of them each year.
“We prioritize those channels and maintain the ones that we can,” Snyder said. “But a lot of things have to align in order for that to happen.”
Why doesn’t the city spend more on stormwater infrastructure?
San Diego could increase funding for stormwater channel maintenance — but doing so would require taking money away from other infrastructure needs like parks, libraries, fire stations, homeless shelters or road repair. The decision on where and how to spend infrastructure dollars is part of the city’s annual budgeting process and involves negotiations between the mayor and City Council.
A report in 2018 from the Office of the City Auditor recommended the city explore ways to increase funding for stormwater infrastructure through a new tax or fee. In 2022, the Stormwater Department finalized its response to the audit, floating a tax of 4 to 5 cents per square foot of impermeable surface on a property. That would scale the tax to the amount of stormwater that runs off a property, while exempting areas where the water can be absorbed into the earth. The tax would cost the typical single-family home in San Diego between $128 and $160 per year.
The city commissioned a poll and found a majority of voters would approve such a tax. But these kinds of taxes require a two-thirds majority in California, and the poll found support was teetering on that threshold.
In 2022 the city received a sizable loan from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to fund stormwater infrastructure repairs. The loan could infuse the Stormwater Department with up to $359.2 million in new money.
But even with that extra funding, the city’s stormwater needs still dwarf the available resources. An infrastructure planning report this month found total stormwater needs over the next five years are at least $2.2 billion, and that it expects to take in only about $572 million in revenue. That leaves a funding gap of $1.6 billion, making stormwater the largest unfunded need in the whole city.
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.
The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.
Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.
Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.
The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.
The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.
Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.
The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.
The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.
Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.
The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.
Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.
Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.
“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.
The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.
Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.
“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.
Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.
“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.
Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.
Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.
“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”
Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.
“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.
Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey
Wisconsin man accused of setting fire to congressman’s office over TikTok ban gets 7 years in prison
Why is Popular Bracketologist Still Considering West Virginia for NCAA Tournament?
Explore small streams of Wyo. with WGFD XStream Angler challenge
Paramount ally RedBird says using Middle East money to help buy Warner Bros. could be a good idea
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?
Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump testifies Iran pressured him, says Biden and Haley were other possible targets
DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Maryland4 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida4 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Massachusetts2 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling