Shoppers at the Westfield UTC mall in San Diego were met with an unexpected and alarming sight Wednesday morning as large portions of the mall filled with brown water following flooding from an unknown source.
Wednesday's flooding incident at the Westfield UTC mall marks a rare and troubling event in the mall’s history. Patrons reported seeing water seeping into shops and walkways, with some areas experiencing inches of standing water. The water, described as murky and brown, has raised concerns about potential damage to both the infrastructure and merchandise within the mall.
The source of the flooding remains unidentified, prompting widespread speculation. Some have suggested that the cause could be a burst water main, while others believe it could be related to recent construction work in the vicinity. However, no official cause has been confirmed.
Following the incident, mall management issued a statement to its tenants. The venue has not yet issued a public statement regarding the extent of the damage, the source of the flooding, or the potential impact on the mall’s operations.
"Dear Westfield UTC Tenants, As you may be aware, we just experienced a major water main failure in Building H3," read the email sent to mall tenants. "Stores impacted are from J Crew around to Lady M. Our crews are working quickly to reopen the common area and anticipate that being completed in the next 10 minutes. For the tenants impacted, please stand by your store locations and await further direction. We have restoration crews mobilizing and we expect them onsite in the next 45 minutes. For all unaffected tenants, the center will remain open as usual. Please refrain from contacting our management team until further notice about this issue unless you have water intrusion and are not on our initial list."
The flooding has forced several stores to close temporarily as cleanup efforts begin. Shoppers who were in the mall at the time of the incident reported that some stores were evacuated, while others continued to operate despite the water. Mall staff were seen attempting to block off affected areas to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of visitors.
Originally opened in 1977, the Westfield UTC (University Towne Centre) mall has been a cornerstone of San Diego's retail landscape for decades. The mall began as a modest shopping center catering to the growing communities around La Jolla and University City. Over the years, it has undergone multiple expansions and renovations, transforming into one of the premier shopping destinations in the region.
Westfield UTC mall is located at 4545 La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego's University Towne Center. For more information, visit westfield.com/united-states/utc.
