After heavy rain and flooding in late January left three dead and more than 800 homes damaged in San Diego, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Feb. 7 that he is requesting President Joe Biden declare the storm a major disaster.

The presidential Major Disaster Declaration will encompass San Diego residents who were impacted by the “widespread flooding and devastation” from Jan. 21 to 23, according to Mr. Newsom’s office, which he said happened in primarily “underserved” communities where many residents lack flood insurance coverage.

“The late January storm saw record-breaking rain in San Diego, where the worst impacts were felt in lower-income neighborhoods. Many folks saw damage to their life’s work that can’t be recovered without federal support,” Mr. Newsom said.

If approved, the declaration will make people eligible for help with housing, food, vehicle replacement, counseling, and medical and legal services, according to the governor’s office.

According to city estimates, the storm caused $6 million to $7 million in damage to city infrastructure.

On Jan. 22, San Diego experienced its wettest day since 1875 with 2.73 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Oceanside, about 40 miles north of San Diego, broke a 1910 record, receiving 2.1 inches.

San Diego’s deputy chief operating officer, Kris McFadden, said during an afternoon press conference Jan. 23 that the city considered the event a “1,000-year storm,” which resulted in two storm pump stations losing power, and city officials asking the NWS why local forecasts fell short.

“We will need to talk to the [weather service] about why what was forecasted and what happened were two very different things,” Mayor Todd Gloria said during the same news conference.