Cleaning up after the rain in Mission Hills

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Torrance street, which turns into a cul-de-sac, quickly flooded Thursday night trapping cars including one resident, David Riese.

“It was actually floating for a while when we saw this happening. I couldn’t get around it because this cul-de-sac was full of water so I just watched,” he said.

By morning, Riese’s small SUV was halfway down the street, partially up on the sidewalk.

“I’ve always thought it was safe here, never thought of it as a flood risk,” said Karen Kauffman, who has lived in her condo for more than 20 years.

She said this past December was the first time she recalls every seeing any flooding.

The City told KUSI since the last storm, the storm drain off of Torrance Street is routinely cleared.

“It’s just a fishbowl here … There are 3 or 4 canyons that empty down here to this low point,” Riese said.

Riese was able to start his vehicle, but eventually had to have it towed.