San Diego Homeless Shelter Flooded for Third Time, Displacing Hundreds
A surge of rainfall inundated a San Diego homeless shelter early this week, forcing teh evacuation of approximately 325 individuals and highlighting the city’s ongoing struggles to provide adequate shelter during extreme weather events. The Alpha Project’s Bridge Shelter, a large tent facility near downtown, was overwhelmed by floodwaters on new year’s Day, leaving residents with lost belongings and the city facing substantial cleanup costs.
More then two inches of rain fell across San Diego County on New Year’s Day, exceeding local records and prompting multiple water rescues. The Bridge Shelter, located near 16th Street and Newton Avenue on the edge of Barrio Logan, was among the first facilities impacted, marking at least the third time it has been compromised by flooding — previous incidents occurred in 2018 and 2024.
“We all lost a lot of stuff,†said a 23-year-old evacuee, Dante Broughton, while standing outside the shelter on Friday afternoon.The rapid rise of water forced a hasty departure,leaving behind clothing,bedding,and othre essential items,many of which are now considered ruined.
According to Bob McElroy, CEO of the Alpha Project, water began pooling inside the shelter around sunrise, quickly rising to at least two feet near the bunk beds.Outside, the water level reached chest height. The shelter remains closed as of Friday, with evacuees temporarily housed at the San Diego Municipal Gymnasium in Balboa Park.
The situation underscores the precariousness of relying on temporary structures to address a chronic homelessness crisis. The Bridge Shelter was always intended as a short-term solution, with the property ultimately slated for a future housing project. However, its temporary nature does little to alleviate the immediate impact of its closure on San Diego’s already strained shelter system, which lacks sufficient capacity to meet the needs of its unhoused population.
The aftermath of the flood revealed a scene of disarray. Images from the site showed overturned portable toilets, scattered pizza boxes, and abandoned wheelchairs coated in mud. A single purple toothbrush lay on the ground, a poignant symbol of the disruption experienced by those displaced.
at the Balboa Park gymnasium, a makeshift shelter has been established, with rows of cots providing temporary respite.While pillows were being distributed, some cots lacked sheets, illustrating the challenges of quickly accommodating a large influx of people. A staff member was observed distributing bedding and assuring residents of available resources.
There was a brief moment of confusion regarding media access, with reports that shelter residents were initially discouraged from speaking with reporters. Though, McElroy clarified that residents were permitted to speak with the media, and no such restriction was in place.
The financial burden of repeated flooding is important. The January 2024 flood alone resulted in over three months of displacement and an estimated $788,000 in repairs and sanitization costs. The City of San Diego is currently assessing the damage at the Newton Avenue site to determine the necessary repairs. “The City is assessing the Newton site to determine necessary repairs,†stated spokesperson José Ysea in an email on Friday.
Other homelessness programs in San Diego do not appear to have been similarly affected. While a designated camping area experienced flooding during previous heavy rains, the city’s safe sleeping sites were not evacuated this time.
As more rain is forecast in the coming days, the immediate need for essential supplies, notably socks, underwear, and warmer clothing, is critical. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those experiencing homelessness and the urgent need for long-term, lasting solutions to address the housing crisis in San Diego.
