Storm drain didn't do its job

On Tuesday, December 15, the San Diego City Council is expected to finalize payment of $1 million to two property owners in San Diego's San Carlos neighborhood for flood damage resulting from a backed-up storm drain near their homes.

The proposed settlements are in addition to a September payout to another San Carlos resident, Tracy Krull, who received $211,000 for damages incurred during the flood, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.

According to city documents, two floods occurred — in May of 2014 and another in November 2014 — when stormwater channels located near the 7900 block of Beaver Lake Drive in San Carlos became clogged, forcing water into the neighborhood.

If approved, the first of the two upcoming settlements will be paid to Madelyn and William Aguilar for $500,000; the couple already received a $50,000 payout for attorney fees.

The other settlement offer is in the amount of $400,000, which would be paid to Dean and Stacy Talbot; that is in addition to $50,000 already paid for attorney fees.

The settlements come after the two couples filed claims with the city's Risk Management Department, before any legal action was taken.

San Diego's crumbling infrastructure and corroded stormwater channels will be put to the test during what weather experts forecast to be a historically wet winter as a result of warming trends in the Pacific Ocean.

In recent years, the city has spent more money on stormwater maintenance. It's a wise decision, considering taxpayers run the risk of hefty fines from the local water board and lawsuits from property owners for flood damage.

According to a report by the Voice of San Diego, large fines and payouts caused the city to warn investors of municipal bonds about potential risks due to potential stormwater issues.