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Be careful what you wish for. Be prepared if you get it.
One hundred years ago farmers, agricultural workers and municipal leaders in the county were bemoaning the effect a years-long drought was taking on the region.
National City, Chula Vista, San Diego County, all of Southern California are semi-arid in climate with little rainfall throughout the year. Droughts can make that condition near catastrophic. But even when droughts come to an end, catastrophe may be lurking and waiting to pounce.
In January 1916 the absence of rain was so detrimental that eventually officials in San Diego contracted with Charlie Hatfield to make it rain. The rest, as some South County old-timers might say, is history.
Hatfield set up a contraption at the Morena Reservoir near Campo mixed some chemicals and sent them evaporating into the sky. What followed was 20-plus days of rain, overflowing reservoirs, busted dams and flooded communities.
The late historian Steven Schoenherr might have argued that Hatfield was unfairly blamed for the devastation wrought by “The Great Flood of 1916” but that’s another discussion for another time.
What is incontrovertible is that the region was not prepared for such a heavy deluge in such a short amount of time.
Why bring this up now, 100 years later in the middle of an August heat wave that feels never-ending? Two reasons.
The first, perhaps the thought and mental imagery of rain for 24 days straight might have a psychological, if not physical, cooling effect.
Two, it’s a reminder to look ahead and anticipate, albeit on a smaller scale.
By now most of us have heard that Southern California is expected to experience a exceptionally strong El Niño weather pattern this winter.
That carries with it the possibility of heavy rains and floods.
Local governments are taking steps to mitigate the damage storms may cause. Individuals can, too. Pick up trash. Clear away litter and detritus from streets and gutters. Report debris in storm drains and basins until they are clutter free
The memory flooded streets and homes caused by heavy non-El Niño winter storms in 2024 should be enough to motivate action.
