San Diego to Pay $6.3M Settlement Over 2024 Floods, But Not to Survivors

City Council approves payment to insurance companies, angering residents still struggling to rebuild

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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San Diego City Council has approved a $6.3 million settlement payment to insurance companies that sued to recover their payouts for the historic January 2024 flooding that devastated some neighborhoods. However, the settlement does not provide any compensation to the flood survivors, many of whom are still trying to rebuild their lives more than two years later.

Why it matters

The settlement has angered residents who lost everything in the flooding, as they feel the city is prioritizing insurance companies over the individuals who were directly impacted. Hundreds of San Diegans have yet to return home following the floods, and they are pleading with the city to provide them with the support they need to recover.

The details

The settlement is the first money to be paid by the city in connection with the flooding that damaged hundreds of homes and displaced residents, particularly in the Southcrest neighborhood. At least 1,400 people have sued San Diego over the floods, alleging the city did not maintain its infrastructure and channels like Chollas Creek, making the devastation of the heavy rainstorm on Jan. 22, 2024, far worse.

  • The historic flooding occurred in January 2024.
  • The settlement was approved by the San Diego City Council on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The survivors' lawsuits have a trial date set for October 2, 2026.

The players

Jessica Calix

A resident who lost everything in the flooding and is still living in an RV more than two years later.

Domenic Martini

An attorney who represents Calix and hundreds of other flood survivors.

Henry Foster

A San Diego City Councilmember.

Sean Elo-Rivera

A San Diego City Councilmember.

Palomar, State Farm, Allstate, and Esurance

Insurance companies that filed four separate lawsuits seeking to recover property damage claims paid out after the flooding.

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What they’re saying

“It's really insulting. It's really hurtful. And it's just like a reoccurring slap in the face.”

— Jessica Calix (nbcsandiego.com)

“They're frustrated, right? They finally see that the city is taking some responsibility and paying money, but it's not to the individuals who are hurt. It's not the people down on Beta Street in Southcrest who are still working to rebuild. Instead, it's going to multi-billion dollar companies that, candidly, barely took a loss in this action.”

— Domenic Martini, Attorney (nbcsandiego.com)

“While we're resolving this litigation, I just can't say enough that we need to make sure that we are continuing to remain focused on our impacted families. Most of these families are still navigating repairs and enduring financial strain and uncertainty, and some impacted did not have adequate insurance coverage at all.”

— Henry Foster, San Diego City Councilmember (nbcsandiego.com)

“Obviously, the folks who were impacted continue to be impacted, regardless of whether or not they have been able to return back to their homes, whether that's from still picking up pieces, living somewhere else, or the trauma that comes with every time it rains. We haven't forgotten about what happened or about the responsibilities that we have moving forward.”

— Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilmember (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The survivors' lawsuits have a trial date set for October 2, 2026, but it's possible the city could settle those suits before then as well.

The takeaway

This settlement highlights the frustration and ongoing struggle of flood survivors in San Diego, who feel the city is prioritizing insurance companies over the individuals who were directly impacted by the devastating 2024 floods. The city's actions have left many residents feeling abandoned and unsupported as they continue to rebuild their lives.