Southcrest resident cites clogged pipes and trapped mold after 2021 flood

Marcela Arellano told the Southeastern Planning Group in a meeting a few weeks ago that her home has flooded at least three times. She presented her family’s history of damage to city officials who were reviewing flood-control projects in the Chollas Creek watershed. The group included other residents who raised similar questions about local drainage capacity.

The Arellano household has occupied their Southcrest home since 1999. The property sits near Market Street and 29th Street, adjacent to a stormwater channel behind an apartment complex. The family raised their son in the house and planted guava and mandarin trees on the property over the years.

In 2021, a powerful storm caused water to deviate from its normal path through the channel. Debris and trash had accumulated in the infrastructure over time. The water knocked down part of a wall and entered the property. The family lost a Toyota Corolla, furniture, carpeting, and several appliances.

Months after the 2021 event, a friend of their son identified signs of interior damage. When they opened a section of drywall, they found trapped moisture and deteriorated materials. Mold had grown inside the walls and remained hidden since the initial flood. Marcela Arellano said she attempted to file claims for the damage but could not meet the process requirements.

In January 2024, heavy storms returned to the region. The family monitored the street level throughout the night. Water did not enter the house during that event, but the family remained on alert until the storm passed. Marcela Arellano now checks the yard and moves items at risk before any forecasted heavy rain.

The family’s anxiety has increased with warnings of a potential strong El Niño season. These conditions typically bring heavy rain and flooding to Southern California. Marcela Arellano pointed to a specific pipe near the rear of her house during a walk-through. She stated the pipe is too small and frequently clogged with branches and debris.

The Arellanos have no plans to leave the home. Marcela Arellano described the routine of watching the water level rise along the curb. She said the family simply hopes the infrastructure holds during the next storm.