San Diego City Council poised to approve $6.3 million in damages to flood insurers

Two years after raging floodwaters roiled much of southeastern San Diego, destroying scores of homes and sending thousands of people fleeing, the city has agreed to pay more than $6 million to insurance companies stuck paying property owners’ claims.

The settlement was approved in a closed session of the San Diego City Council late last year. It is scheduled to be confirmed in a public session next week.

“This action involves the resolution of 4 pending subrogation lawsuits against the city for amounts 17 insurance carriers paid to their insureds for damages arising out of the Jan. 22, 2024 rain event and flooding in the amount of $6,326,330.75,” the memo to council says.

It’s signed by assistant city attorney Jean Jordan, who worked four months last year while traveling on an around-the-world cruise.

The City Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request to comment Wednesday on the settlement recommendation, or on how insurers were being paid ahead of local flood victims. Council members did not issue any public statements about the proposed payout.

The settlement will be debated at the council meeting Tuesday.

The discussion comes as the city continues to litigate a spate of civil lawsuits filed by property owners and tenants, along with cross-complaints that city lawyers have filed agai...