MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL HOWE.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>>> ONE YEAR AGO, SAN DIEGO WAS HIT WITH HISTORIC FLOODING.

TODAY IN THE MIDST OF A DROUGHT AND RED FLAG WARNING, FIREFIGHTERS WERE BATTLING FLAMES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

A BRUSH FIRE IN RANCHO BERNARDO PROMPTED EVACUATION ORDERS THIS MORNING.

NO HOMES WERE DAMAGED BUT ONE PERSON WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH BURN INJURIES.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE SPOKE WITH PEOPLE WHO FLED THEIR HOMES.

NORTH COUNTY RESIDENT CARL GUNDERSON SAW FLAMES ON THE HILLSIDE NEAR HIS HOUSE.

>> BETWEEN THE TIME WE SAW THE SMOKE AND TIME WE GOT THE EVACUATION ORDER ON THE PHONE WAS NOT VERY MUCH TIME.

IT WAS GRAB THE DOGS, GRAB SOME FOOD AND WATER FOR THEM, ESSENTIALS AND GET OUT THE DOOR.

>> Reporter: HE AND HIS DOGS EVACUATED TO A PARKING LOT IN CARMEL MOUNTAIN.

MOST EVACUATION ORDERS WERE LIMITED BY 1:30.

HE'S ALREADY THINKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND SEE IF THE STATUS CHANGES.

HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BUT WHO KNOWS?

>> Reporter: ANOTHER EVACUEE, LYNN GADO HAS SEEN HER INSURANCE GO UP.

SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT THE NUMBERS OF HOMES IN THE AREA THAT HAVE TO EVACUATE DURING FIRES.

>> MY HUSBAND HAS WANTED TO MOVE BECAUSE IN OUR AREA, THE THE, SINCE WE MOVED IN IN 2008, THERE ARE ALMOST 6,000 NEW HOMES AND THERE IS STILL ONLY ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT.

>> Reporter: BOTH SAY THEY EVACUATED SHORTLY AFTER GETTING NOTIFIED.

OFFICIALS ISSUED EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS FOR AREAS WEST OF THE I-15 FREEWAY AND SOUTH OF CAMINO DEL NORTE.

ABOUT 175 FIREFIGHTERS WERE THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT, CAL FIRE, SAN MARCOS FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER AGENCIES WERE ON SCENE.

SEVEN ACRES BURNED IN TOTAL.

DAN IS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF WITH SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE.

HE SAYS HE HAD EXPECTED THE FIRE TO BURN BETWEEN 10 AND 20 ACRES.

>> I FEEL LIKE WHEN I CAME ON THE JOB 25 YEARS AGO, WE HAD FIRE SEASON.

NOW WE HAVE FIRE YEAR.

WE'RE IN IT ALL THE TIME.

YOU LOOK AT OUR HUMIDITY, OUR DRYNESS THAT WE HAVE OUT HERE, I'M HAPPY TO HEAR WE HAVE RAIN COMING THIS WEEKEND.

JUST BECAUSE WE GET A LITTLE RAIN DOESN'T MEAN IT TAKES US OUT OF IT.

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY I WAS STANDING IN SIX FEET OF WATER IN THE FLOODS THAT WERE GOING ON.

WE'RE IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SPACE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: A RED FLAG WARNING IS STILL IN EFFECT FOR SAN DIEGO MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS.

THAT MEANS LOW HUMIDITY AND HIGH WINDS.

SOCIAL DISTANCING HAS SDGE HAS SHUT OFF POWER FOR SOME AREAS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EXPECTS RAIN SATURDAY NIGHT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE, CREWS CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE FIRE IN BONSALL.

IT IS 90% CONTAINED.

EVACUATION ORDERS WERE LIFTED LAST NIGHT BUT PART OF 395 REMAINS CLOSED.

THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> WITH FIRE DANGER CONTINUING TONIGHT, THERE WON'T BE ANY PRECIPITATION AROUND.

THERE WILL BE SOME STRONG WINDS THROUGH CANYONS AND PASSES AND WE ARE TRACKING A FEW DIFFERENT WILDFIRES.

THE NEWEST, A RELATIVELY LARGE ONE NEAR CASTAIC LAKE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN WILDFIRES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE DRY OFFSHORE WIND CONTINUES THROUGH THURSDAY, SO FIRE DANGER AND RED FLAG WARNINGS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH MOST OF THE DAY THURSDAY.

THERE ARE BIG CHANGES FOR THE WEEKEND INVOLVING RAIN FOR SOME.

>>> ON JANUARY 22nd LAST YEAR, A POWERFUL STORM HIT SAN DIEGO AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FLOODING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING A CREEK.

MORE THAN 1,200 WERE DISPLACED.

MANY WERE LOW-INCOME.

WE CHECKED IN ON HOW THE CREEK AND THE SURROUNDING HOMES LOOK TODAY.

>> THIS ROOM IS MY ROOM.

I SHARED IT WITH MY HUSBAND.

SO THIS WOULD BE LIKE MY SIDE OF THE BED AND THEN HE WOULD GET THAT SIDE.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY WALKED ME THROUGH HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOME ON BETA STREET IN SOUTH CREST WHERE SHE WAS LIVING THE DAY THE FLOODS CAME ONE YEAR AGO.

THE HOUSE HAS BEEN STRIPPED DOWN TO THE STUDS.

>> THE HOME ITSELF WAS A SAFE HAVEN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

EVERYONE WAS WELCOMED HERE.

IT IS MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.

IF ANYBODY NEEDED A PLACE STY, WE WOULD COME.

>> Reporter: JANUARY 22nd LAST YEAR IS SEARED INTO HER MEMORY.

THE RAINS CAME FAST AND HEAVY WHEN THE WATER STARTED COMING UP THROUGH FLOORBOARDS, SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO LEAVE.

THE STREETS WERE IMPASSABLE SO SHE FLED TO THE NEIGHBOR'S ROOF WITH HER GRANDMA WHO IS NOW 90 AND HAS EARLY STAGE DEMENTIA.

>> I'M KIND OF BLOCKING IT OUT.

MY PTSD DOESN'T TAKE CONTROL OVER IT.

MY MENTAL STATE.

I DO WORK WITH A THERAPIST OVER THE FLOOD AS WELL.

SO I CAN ONLY SPEAK SO MUCH DETAILS BEFORE, YOU KNOW, IT PLAYS MORE OF A ROLE, OR IT TAKES MORE OF A TOLL IN MY HEAD.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY'S FINANCIAL AND HEALTH STRUGGLE HAVE MADE FOR A SLOW RECOVERY.

THEY'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE PITCHED IN TO GET THE HOUSE THIS FAR BUT THE FAMILY NEEDS ANOTHER $189,000 TO FULLY RESTORE IT.

THEY FILED A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO FOR FAILING TO MAINTAIN THE STORM DRAINS BUT IT WILL LIKELY BE YEARS BEFORE THEIR CASE GETS RESOLVED.

>> IT FLOODED SO QUICKLY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

ONE IS THAT IT HAS AN OUTDATED AND INADEQUATE STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: LESLIE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO, A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR BETTER STORM MODERATING STRUCTURE.

WE MEET A BLOCK FROM HER HOUSE ON THE BLOCKS OF THE CREEK.

>> THEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CHANNEL WAS CONSTRICTED BY OVERGROWTH OF VEGETATION AND DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE WATER TO FLOW THROUGH.

>> Reporter: TODAY THIS SECTION OF THE CREEK IS MOSTLY CLEAR BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE WORK THE CITY HAS TO DO TO PREVENT ANOTHER FLOODING CATASTROPHE.

THE CREEK WATER SHED IS 25 SQUARE MILES, STRETCHING ALL THE WAY TO LEMON GROVE.

REYNOLDS SAYS THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS PLANNING TO UPGRADE THE STORM DRAINS HERE WHICH SHE SAYS IS CRITICAL AND LONG OVERDUE.

IT IS ALSO PLANNING A NUMBER OF BIOSWELLS, DEPRESSIONS IN THE GROUND THAT CAN FILL UP WITH RAIN WATER AND RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON THE LARGER STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT TURNING THIS WHOLE AREA INTO A SORT OF PILOT PROJECT FOR NATURE-BASED WATER MANAGEMENT AND MULTIPLE BENEFITS.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO WORK ON FLOODING IN A COMMUNITY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ON HEAT AND AIR AND GREEN SPACES AND ALL THE THINGS THESE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO NEED AS THE CLIMATE WORSENS.

>> Reporter: PLANNING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IS ONE THING BUT CONVINCING VOTERS TO PAY FOR THEM IN THE FORM OF HIGHER TAXES IS FAR FROM GUARANTEED.

>> THE CITY IS A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS SHORT OF STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, AND WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL GET A BALLOT INITIATIVE IN 2026.

OUR RESIDENTS EVEN SUPPORTED A SALES TAX INCREASE VERY GENEROUSLY, UNLIKE SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY TO TRY TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THESE KINDS OF ASSETS.

SO I'M VERY HOPEFUL WE'LL GET A BALLOT INITIATIVE TO MAKE UP THAT GAP.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY'S HOME ON BETA STREET WAS ONCE A SOURCE OF STABILITY THROUGHOUT HER FAMILY'S STRUGGLES.

WITHOUT IT, AN UNCLE WHO IS NOW LIVING IN THE HOME WAS IN THE STREETS.

SHE AND HER GRANDMOTHER ARE STILL COUCH SURFING.

>> WHAT STRESSES ME OUT MORE, I FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

I KNOW WE HAD THE L.A.

FIRES OCCURRING AND I'M GRATEFUL A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HELPING THEM BUT I HOPE THEY DON'T FORGET ABOUT US.

WE WERE A LITTLE BIT FORGOTTEN EVEN WHEN THE FLOOD OCCURRED.

WE STILL NEED A LOT OF HELP AS WELL.

YOU CAN SEE, MY HOME STILL NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MAJORITY OF SAN DIEGANS DISPLACED BY LAST YEAR'S FLOODS DIDN'T RECEIVE HOUSING COMMISSION RECOVERY FUNDS.

THE REPORTER CHECKS IN WITH ONE SURVIVOR SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> IT'S BEEN THE LONGEST AND FASTEST YEAR AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: JESSICA HE IS CLAIMED THE FLOODS WITH HER SON AND THEIR BALL PYTHON PRINCESS PEACH.

SHE LOST EVERYTHING ELSE IN HER SOUTHCREST HOME.

>> DEALING WITH A DISASTER LIKE THIS, IT REALLY PUSHES YOU TO YOUR BREAKING POINT.

YOU'RE ALWAYS LIKE, YOU'RE FEELING LIKE YOU'RE JUST ONE SETBACK AWAY FROM EVERYTHING FALLING APART.

>> Reporter: A YEAR LATER, THEY LIVE IN AN RV.

SHE NEVER QUALIFIED FOR HELP FROM THE HOUSING COMMISSION BECAUSE SHE LEFT THE COUNTY'S HOTEL PROGRAM EARLY.

THE FLOODS DISPLACED MORE THAN 1,200 PEOPLE, LESS THAN HALF OF THEM HAVE RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE COMMISSION.

ASSISTANCE IS NOW IN PHASE TWO.

FAMILIES WHO APPLIED AND WEREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR PHASE ONE ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BUT THAT STILL EXCLUDES PEOPLE LIKE CALIX WHO NEVER APPLIED BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WEREN'T ELIGIBLE.

>> IT IS ALL VERY DEHUMANIZE GO.

YOU HAVE TO FIGHT EVERY DAY TO TELL YOURSELF THAT YOU DESERVE BETTER AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD.

>> Reporter: SHE STILL MEETS WEEKLY WITH FLOOD SURVIVORS.

THEY TALK ABOUT HOW THE CITY COULD IMPROVE ITS DISASTER RESPONSE.

>> THE.

A WORK THAT IS STILL LEFT TO DO IS JUST, IT'S CRAZY, YOU KNOW.

IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>> ONE FLOWER SHOP OWNER WE MET SOON AFTER THE FLOOD SAYS BUSINESS IS BLOOMING.

COMING UP, WHO SHE CREDITS FOR KEEPING HER BUSINESS AFLOAT.

>>> AROUND 1,500 ACTIVE U.S.

TROOPS ARE BEING SENT TO THE U.S. BORDER.

THEY WILL HELP BUT ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES LIKE MAKING ARRESTS OR SEIZING DRUGS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WILL DECIDE WITHIN 90 DAYS TO ACT AT THE U.S. BORDER.

THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM TO USE ACTIVE DUTY TROOPS DOMESTICALLY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WOULD BEGIN JANUARY 27th.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CANCELED ALL REFUGEE FLIGHTS INCLUDING THOSE FOR PEOPLE ALREADY VETTED AND APPROVED TO COME TO THE U.S.

THE MOVE TOOK ADVOCATES BY SURPRISE.

>> WE'VE BEEN REALLY TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED BUT IT FEELS LIKE AUGUST 2021 WHERE NOBODY KNOWS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

VETERANS, ADVOCATES, AFGHANS, ALL FREAKING OUT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE.

>> TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS WHO WORKED WITH THE U.S. DURING THE OCCUPATION HAVE ALREADY RESETTLED AFTER THE FALL OF KABUL.

THE STATE DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS.

>>> THE MAYOR FOCUSED ON WHAT THE CITY COULD DO IN THE SO-CALLED ERA OF AUSTERITY.

FOR OUR "WHY IT MATTERS" SEGMENT, SCOTT LEWIS SAYS SOMETHING ELSE ALSO STOOD OUT.

>> LAST WEEK IN HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH, THE MAYOR MADE SOMETHING VERY CLEAR.

HE WANTS PEOPLE TO STOP THINKING OF HIM WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE STRUGGLING ON THE STREET.

>> OVER A YEAR AGO, THE COUNTY BOARD VOTED TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE LAW THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS TO ACCESS LIFE-SAVING CARE.

THEY DID LITTLE IN THIS ONE-YEAR DELAY TO PREPARE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND IT HAS YET TO TAKE MEANINGFUL STEPS TO ADDRESS THE VERY REAL SHORTAGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

>> HIS CRITICISM TOOK UP ONE OF THE LARGEST SECTIONS OF THE SPEECH.

HE SAID THEY HAVE SPACE BUT IF THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR DRUGS, THAT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE CITY.

IT SHOULD BE ON THE COUNTY.

IT'S WORTH EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO BRIEFLY.

THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INCLUDES ALL THE LOCAL CITIES, CARLSBAD, LA PLACE, A SO ON, YOU CAN FIT BOTH THE STATES OF DELAWARE AND RHODE ISLAND.

THEY MANAGE THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND OTHER THINGS REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

COUNTY STAFF ARE THE ONES IN CHARGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH LIKE WHEN PANDEMICS HIT.

SO GLORIA IS OKAY WITH TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR HOMELESSNESS BUT HE WANTS YOU TO BLAME THE COUNTY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION PROBLEMS.

THE COUNTY IS IN CHARGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, TREATMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES, AND WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A MASSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

THAT FEELS LIKE IT'S GETTING WORSE, ACTUALLY.

>> MY FELLOW SAN DIEGANS, IT IS MY HOPE ANY TIME YOU SEE A PERSON ON THE STREET SUFFERING FROM EXTREME MENTAL ILLNESS OR ADDICTION, YOU THINK OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AND ASK, WHEN WILL THEY STEP UP TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO END THIS CRISIS ONCE AND FOR ALL?

>> HE'S TALKING ABOUT SB 43, THE STATE LAW THAT ALLOWS POLICE AND OTHERS TO FORCE PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT IF THEY ARE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION OR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES SO SEVERE THAT THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF.

THEY.

ONE OF THE PROBLEM WITH GLORIA'S ATTACK THOUGH IS WE DON'T KNOW WHO EXACTLY HE BLAME.

THE COUNTY HAS NO POLITICAL LEADERSHIP RIGHT NOW.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS NO CHAIR AFTER SUPERVISOR NORAH VARGAS ABRUPTLY RESIGNED LAST MONTH.

WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO TO CALL FOR A RESPONSE TO THE SPEECH.

OTHER SUPERVISORS THAT THEY'RE WORKING AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN ON HOMELESSNESS ISSUES AND THEY AGREE WITH THE MAYOR.

IF YOU RELY ON THE COUNTY AND THE STATE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, GETTING TREATMENT FOR SEVERE ADDICTION IS LIKE WINNING THE LOTTERY.

WITH ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION COMING UP TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY, CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO EXPLAIN HOW THEY'LL ADDRESS THAT CRISIS.

I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR VOICE SAN DIEGO.

THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WANTS TO PULL THE BRAKES ON A LONG-AWAITED BRIDGE.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT YEAR.

THE REPORTER SAYS THE PROJECT HAS THE CITY AT ODDS WITH THE DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS.

>> THIS WOODEN RAILROAD TRESTLE IS AT THE END OF ITS LIFE.

THEY PLAN TO BUILD A NEW BRIDGE AT THE END OF 2026.

IT WOULD BE HIGHER TO OFFSET THE SEA LEVEL RISE AND DOUBLE TRACKED TO ALLOW FOR MORE RAIL TRAFFIC.

THE DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY SENT A LETTER ASKING THE AGENCY TO DELAY BUILDING THE BRIDGE BLUE I WILL IT LOOKS AT WAYS TO MOVE IT OFF THE RAILROAD TRACKS.

>> OUR CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZED THAT REPLACING THIS BRIDGE BEFORE WE KNOW WHERE THE RAILROAD TRACKS WILL BE RELOCATED IN THE REALIGNMENT IS PREMATURE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAID IT IS BETTER TO WAIT FOR THE RAIL REAALIGNMENT PLAN TO BE FINALIZED.

>> TWO YEARS, A WE RECEIVED $300 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO DO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OF REALIGNMENT.

THE SUMMIT IS THAT THE TRACKS WOULD NOT MOVE.

>> Reporter: THIS BRIDGE IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD AND THERE'S A PLAN TO REPLACE IT IN FOUR YEARS.

THE OPTIONS WOULD TUNNEL UNDERNEATH HOMES IN DEL MAR.

LAST SUMMER, THEY NARROWED THE CHOICES DOWN TO THREE OPTIONS.

A, B, AND C. ALL OF THEM INVOLVED BUILDING A TUNNEL TO MOVE THE TRACKS OFF THE COAST.

OPTION B AND C WOULD HAVE THE TUNNEL THROUGH DEL MAR.

>> ABOUT 500 HOMES WOULD BE ABOVE THE TUNNEL OR LATERALLY NEXT DOOR TO A HOUSE ABOVE THE TUNNEL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE BETTER CHOICE IS OPTION A WHICH WOULD PLACE THE TUNNEL UNDERNEATH THE FAIRGROUNDS.

>> WHICH WOULD BASICALLY RENDER US UNABLE TO PRODUCE THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR.

>> Reporter: TRISTAN IS THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE FAIR GROUNDS.

HE SAID CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TUNNEL WOULD INVOLVE DIGGING A TRENCH THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE FAIR GROUNDS.

THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE AN OPTION.

FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE FOR THE NEW BRIDGE.

THE FAIRGROUNDS HAS SENT A LETTER OF ITS OWN SAYING A DELAY IN BUILDING THE BRIDGE COULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

>> THE REGION WILL LOSE THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR THE VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

IT IS FOR THIS PROJECT, FOR THE SEASONAL PLATFORM.

>> Reporter: THE SEASONAL PLATFORM WOULD LET RIDERS OFF AT THE FAIRGROUNDS.

THERE ARE WAYS TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE AND THE DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL WOULD HELP WITH THAT.

THEY SAID ANY ACTION TO DELAY THE BRIDGE PROJECT WOULD NEED THE BOARD'S APPROVAL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOS ANGELES IS PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF RAIN THIS WEEKEND, BUT AS MICHELLE REPORTS, THE FIRES HAVE LEFT A SITUATION WHERE IT COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

>> Reporter: A PACIFIC PALISADES LIFEGUARD CLEARS WHAT'S LEFT OF A TOWER THAT BURNED ON WILL ROGERS STATE BEACH.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS PUT DOWN JUTE NETTING TO KEEP THE LAND FROM SLIDING.

RAIN IS FORECAST FOR THE WEEKEND.

THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT UNSTABLE HILLSIDES, TOXIC MATERIALS AND DEBRIS FLOW IN THE FIRE ZONE.

>> PART OF OUR SUBMISSION TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY ENVIRONMENT.

WE'RE DOING OUR BEST WITH THE TIME WE HAVE AND OBVIOUSLY, THIS AREA IS AFFECTED BY THE FIRE.

IT WILL BE A LOT MORE IMPACTED BY THE RAIN.

>> THIS FIRESTORM LEFT BEHIND SERIOUS HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY, L.A. MAYOR KAREN BASS AND TRACY PARK TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMMEDIATE WORK TO PROTECT THE WATER SUPPLY, BEACHES AND THE OCEAN.

>> ADDING WATER TO THIS MESS AND SATURATED, UNSTABLE HILLSIDES IS THE LAST THING WE NEED.

WE ALREADY KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN.

BURN SCARS DON'T ABSORB WATER AT A NORMAL RATE.

THEY SIMPLY ADD TO THE RISK OF FLOODS, LANDSLIDES AND DEBRIS FLOW.

>> Reporter: THE PACIFIC PALISADES THAT BURNED WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT TO PREVENT HILLSIDES FROM SLIPPING.

THE BARRIERS ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD BACK DIRT AND ROCKS.

ALL THE BURNED OUT CARS AND RVs SUCH AS THIS ONE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.

THIS IS THE LAST ONE TO BE HAULED AWAY.

SANTA MONICA NONPROFIT HILDA IS HELPING SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HOW THE FIRE AND IMPENDING RAIN HAVE AND WILL CREATE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUNOFF THAT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE NEED THE RAIN DESPERATELY BUT IT IS A REALLY, REALLY SCARY TIME, ESPECIALLY JUST THINKING ABOUT THE EFFECTS THIS WILL HAVE ON THE WATER.

WE HAVE SOME REALLY, REALLY UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEMS RIGHT HERE OFF OUR COAST.

>>> A WILDFIRE IS FORCING EVACUATIONS NORTH OF LOS ANGELES AND INTO VENTURA COUNTY.

THE HUGHES FIRE BROKE OUT THIS MORNING NEAR LAKE CASTAIC, SENDING A HUGE PLUME OF SMOKE INTO THE AIR.

THE WIND-DRIVEN FLAMES HAVE BURNED THROUGH MORE THAN 9,000 ACRES OF TREES AND BRUSH THREATENING HOMES AND A SMOKE ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED.

>>> WE HAVE A FEW BIG WEATHER STORY LINES.

ONE INVOLVING FIRES AND FIRE DANGERS WITH THE SANTA ANA WINDS CONTINUING TO FAN FLAMES.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN PARTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, UP INTO SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

THE CASTAIC FIRE OR THE FIRE NEAR THE LAKE HAS BEEN A DEVELOPING STORY IN RECENT HOURS, AND WE'RE TRACKING SEVERAL OF THESE FIRES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BURN INTO THE DAY TOMORROW.

WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RAIN.

FINALLY SOME RAIN, AND EVEN MOUNTAIN SNOW ROLLING INTO THIS WEEKEND.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

WE NEED A LOT OF THAT.

45 FOR THE LOW.

COOL AND CLEAR.

THE WINDS WILL BE ACTIVE IN THE CANYONS AND PASSES.

TOMORROW, STILL BREEZY OUT THERE.

WE'LL BE DEALING WITH READINGS INTO SAN DIEGO, MOUNTAIN LAGUNA, 48 DEGREES.

THIS DRY OFFSHORE WIND IS STILL WITH US.

NO PRECIPITATION LOCALLY THROUGH THURSDAY OR FRIDAY.

BUT THE SANTA ANA WINDS WILL BE CONTINUING THROUGH THURSDAY, THURSDAY NIGHT, AND BY FRIDAY MORNING, THIS WILL BE IN DECLINE.

THIS SANTA ANA WIND EVENT IS NOT AS INTENSE AS OTHERS THAT WE'VE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED BUT STILL IT IS SO DRY OUT THERE, GUSTS 40 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR.

SOME ISOLATED CANYONS AND PASSES MAY SEE AN ACCUWEATHER WIND PASS UP TO 40 MILES PER HOUR.

WE'RE SEEING WEATHER ALERTS.

A RED FLAG WARNING FOR INLAND SAN DIEGO COUNTY THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

SOME RISK OF FIRE CONTINUES INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THE TWO OUT OF THREE ON THE SCALE.

THE ORANGE, AT LEAST THERE'S NO RED ON THE MAP.

THIS IS TWO OUT OF THREE WHERE WE HAVE BEEN RECENTLY WITH THREE OUT OF THREE.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD.

TO FINALLY, FINALLY SOME RAIN ROLES IN.

WE'LL SEE SOME BENEFICIAL RAIN.

A FEW TENTHS OF AN INCH IS LIKELY IN SOME AREAS.

EVEN SOME SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS AT 4,000 FEET.

FINALLY THE WET SEASON SHOWING ITS FACE IN MID TO LATE JANUARY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

SHOWERS AND RAIN.

WE LOVE SEEING THAT.

INLAND AREAS, THE FORECAST IS ALSO WETTER THIS WEEKEND.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS, WE'LL FIND SOME SNOW.

MEASURABLE SNOW FOR SOME AREAS INTO SUNDAY AND FOR THE DESERTS, RAIN EVEN FALLS TO THE DESERT FLOOR ON SUNDAY.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT NEAR BURN SCAR AREAS FOR FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS.

WE ARE GETTING SOME BENEFICIAL RAIN THIS WEEKEND.

IN THE MEANTIME, BE CAREFUL WITH THE FIRE DANGER.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON JANUARY 22nd LAST YEAR, NATALIE GILLS' BUSINESS WAS CLOSED FOR THE DAY.

SHE WENT IN ANYWAY AFTER HEARING FLOODWATERS WERE RUSHING THROUGH HOME RUN FLORAL SHOP.

WE CHECKED IN ON HER A YEAR LATER.

>> Reporter: LOOKING INSIDE NATIVE POPPY TODAY, YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS ONE YEAR AGO THIS SHOP WAS COMPLETELY WATERLOGGED.

NATALIE GOT HERE ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER THE RAGING WATER MADE ITS WAY INSIDE.

>> WHEN I WALKED INTO THIS BUILDING, THERE WAS STILL TWO AND A HALF FEET OF STANDING WATER IN HERE.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FLOWERS AND OTHER MERCHANDISE RUINED.

BUT THERE WAS NO TIME FOR HAND-WRINGING.

THE BIGGEST DAY FOR FLORISTS WAS NEARLY UPON THEM.

>> WE HAD VALENTINE'S DAY COMING AND WE NEED TO OPERATE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY.

IT WAS ALL HANDS-ON DECK TO CLEAN AND GET THE SUPPLIES JUST NEEDED FOR VALENTINE'S DAY.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL VALENTINE'S DAY, THEY HAD TIME TO TAKE A BREATH AND GET READY FOR WHAT WAS NEXT.

>> WE DECIDED TO MOVE BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE IN OUR BEST INTERESTS.

>> Reporter: BUT SAN DIEGO'S SKY-HIGH RENTS PUT A MOVE OUT OF REACH.

SHE SAID THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IN THEIR SURVIVAL.

>> THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO US STICK AROUND.

IT SUCK THAT'S WE HAVE TO SEE THAT DURING A TRAGEDY LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: LOOKING AT NATIVE POPPY TODAY, IT LOOKS PRETTY MUCH LIKE IT DID BEFORE THE FLOOD.

THE UNSEEN DAMAGE REMAINS.

THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE CREEK COULD RISE AGAIN AND THEY COULD BE RIGHT BACK WHERE THEY WERE ONE YEAR AGO.

FOR NOW, IT'S ONWARD AND UPWARD.

SHE HAS DECIDED TO REOPEN THE SMALL GIFT SHOP.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REOPEN IT.

IT WILL BE OPEN FOR, SORRY, IN FEBRUARY AGAIN.

>> Reporter: SO ONE YEAR OUT, GILL AND HER TEAM ARE MAKING THE BEST OF THEIR LOCATION.

THEY'RE STAYING PUT WITH THEIR MERCHANDISE UP HIGHER OFF THE FLOOR THAN BEFORE.

SHE SAID THEY'LL BE AS READY AS THEY CAN BE IF, SHE SAYS WHEN, THE WATERS COME AGAIN.

THROUGH IT ALL, GILL IS STAYING POSITIVE FOR HERSELF AND HER EMPLOYEES.

>> I WANT TO DO RIGHT BY MY TEAM.

I'M GOING TO JUST SAY, IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR DELIVERING SMILES FOR A WHILE.

>> Reporter: JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND KPBS MIDDAY EDITION WILL HAVE MORE ON THE HISTORIC FLOODS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

KPBS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.