Flooding in low-lying Mission Valley in San Diego forces evacuation of several hotels

Floodwaters rose to as high as 5 feet in parts of San Diego’s low-lying Mission Valley area lining the San Diego River.

Several hotels were evacuated Wednesday as TV footage showed floodwaters surrounding the Premier Inn. Next to a Comfort Inn was a baseball field covered in water 5 feet high.

The biggest concern was the fate of the Poinsettia Bowl scheduled to take place Thursday evening in Mission Valley. Qualcomm Stadium’s field was underwater, raising fears of postponement of the game between San Diego State and Navy.

Mission Valley is a traditionally flood-prone neighborhood in San Diego. It parallels the San Diego River, which runs east to west to the Pacific Ocean, and has never been completely channelized to control flooding. Parking lots along Interstate 8 were covered in water.

Still, the Fashion Valley mall near the San Diego River remained open.

The flooding was so intense that the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe was being evacuated, forcing shelter officials to transport dogs and cats from the facility. 

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-- Tony Perry in Mission Valley

Photo: Clyde Jennings' lumber business wasn't quite as advertised after flood waters filled it with 3 to 4 feet of water on Sorrento Valley Road north of San Diego. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times