NATIONAL CITY, Calif., (KGTV)-- Residents and business owners in the South Bay are bracing for another round of floods. They have already seen flooding on 18th Street in National City this week, caused by the king tides. Now with the rain, many expect it to be worse.
According to FEMA, businesses near West 18th Street and Roosevelt Ave. are right in a low-elevation flood zone. Ocean water travels from the San Diego Bay, up the Sweetwater Channel, and into Paradise Creek. That creek backs right into Jose's Auto Electric yard.
Wednesday morning, the city shut down the road because of flooded streets caused by King Tides. During the day, luckily, the water receded before reaching the front door at Jose's Auto Electric.
The combination of rain and king tides reminded employee Alma Ramirez of last year's disaster. She remembered 30 inches of rainwater gushing into her office and destroying her equipment.
"We lost a lot of stuff, and I remembered that I forgot my purse," Ramirez said. "I said, 'Oh my purse!' And I tried to come back, but in less than five minutes, the water was already up. And I said 'Forget about it, just let me get out of here.'"
If the flooding gets worse, Ramirez said she may have to move all of the low profile cars in their shop to another location to avoid flood damage for their customers.
Meanwhile, neighboring businesses closer to Paradise Creek have already put up sandbags to protect their front office doors and garages. Ramirez hopes it does not get to that point for her shop.
The National Weather Services estimates the Flash Flood Watch to continue through 10 p.m. Thursday. A Beach Hazard Statement is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
