DISASTER RECOVERY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Pajaro Valley Flood

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FORM

Pajaro Valley residents who have been impacted by the winter storms through either damage to their apartment or home, or permanent or temporary loss of employment due to evacuations and/or storm damage may be eligible for local financial assistance.

Complete Community Bridges’ Damage Assessment Form to see if you qualify for help. Complete here online, or visit La Manzana Community Resources at 521 Main Street, Suite Y in downtown Watsonville to fill it out in person. 

Filling out this form will allow community groups and social service providers to prioritize your case based on needs, and refer your information to agencies that can support you with volunteers, cleanup tools, food, and financial assistance, among other things. Families and individuals who make less than 80% of the Area Median Income are currently being prioritized until more funding is made available.

Clients who have already filled out the Community Bridges Damage Assessments through our community outreach or at La Manzana do not need to reapply.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

March 17, 2023, at noon:

All evacuation orders and warnings in Santa Cruz County have been lifted. However, several North Monterey County communities remain under evacuation orders.

The best way to stay up to date with the latest evacuation updates is to find your “zone” on your respective county’s website. Santa Cruz County residents can find and track their zone HERE. Monterey County residents can find and track their zone HERE.

EVACUATION ORDERS:

North Monterey County

B-001, B-003, B-005, B-006, B-007, B-012, B-014, B-019

Zones under evacuation orders (in red)

EVACUATION CENTERS

There are four overnight evacuation shelters in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties:

  • Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds; 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville
  • Castroville Recreation Center, 11261 Crane Street, Castroville
  • Compass Church, 10325 S. Main Street, Salinas
  • Salvation Army Contra Costa 1491 Contra Costa Blvd, Seaside

Each shelter site will provide a place to sleep, food, supplies, and support services. Pets are allowed at Santa Cruz County Fairground site if kept within carriers. The Fairgrounds’ site also has the capacity for large animal evacuation. 

For more information, click HERE.

Pajaro Water System water is possibly contaminated (March 11)

Due to the flooding in Pajaro that impacted drinking water facilities, the drinking water supplied by Pajaro Water System (Pajaro WS) is possibly contaminated. The State Water Resources Control Board, Monterey County, and Pajaro/Sunny Mesa CSD are advising residents of Pajaro to NOT USE THE TAP WATER FOR DRINKING AND COOKING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

What should I do?
• DO NOT DRINK YOUR TAP WATER – USE ONLY BOTTLED WATER. Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation until further notice.
• DO NOT TRY AND TREAT THE WATER YOURSELF. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe.
• Optional: Potable bottled water is available at the following location: Pajaro Valley Golf Course at 967 Salinas Road, Royal Oaks, CA 95076
There is no estimate for when water from Pajaro/Sunny Mesa CSD will be OK to use. 
For more information call:
  • Water Utility contact: Judy Varela, 831-722-1389
  • State Water Resources Control Board, Monterey District: 831-655-6939
  • Local County Health Department: Monterey County Health Department: 831-755-4505

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

EMERGENCY EVACUATION TIPS

  1. Know the difference between an evacuation orderwarning, and advisory.
    1. Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
    2. Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
    3. Advisory: Be on alert and follow county recommendations
  2. Have a go bag ready with essential items: medicines, documents and important valuables (photos) in case of evacuation. Be ready to leave in 15 minutes.
  3. Older adults and people with disabilities should schedule a ride through Lift Line before an evacuation warning is upgraded to an evacuation order. To schedule a ride, call 831-688-9663.
  4. Every house and location is unique. If your area is susceptible to flooding be aware of your exits and likely routes out of the area.
  5. Have food, water and an emergency battery or charging (hand crank) in case of a power outage to keep informed.
  6. Do not travel on waterways of more than 3 inches. This can move cars and sweep you away.
  7. If you cannot safely escape, stay in place.
  8. Prepare your house to limit the damage. If you live in a flood zone, don’t leave items on the floor and give yourself 6 inches to limit the damage.

DEALING WITH DISASTERS

  • In a flood, move to higher ground. Be aware of drainage channels and other areas known to flood suddenly.
  • After a flood, stay away from downed power lines and designated disaster areas.
  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  • If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around and take another route. Roads underneath may be damaged and impassable.
  • Don’t drive through floodwaters or around barricades. Only a few inches of water can sweep a vehicle off the road.
  • Stay out of standing floodwater. The dirty water can disguise hazards below the surface, such as deep holes and dangerous debris.
  • Stay weather aware of hazards and possible evacuations during storms. Watch local news or follow authoritative sources on social media, including the National Weather Service, Caltrans District 5, CHP Santa Cruz or other police and fire agencies.
  • Never touch downed wires. If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
  • Debris flow can also be a risk for those living near the CZU burn scar. The risk of debris flows is lower than in the past years and debris flow warning thresholds have been retired, but there is still an elevated risk compared to pre-fire conditions.

2023 January Storm Recovery

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FORM

Santa Cruz County and Pajaro Valley residents who have been impacted by the winter storms through either damage to their apartment or home, or permanent or temporary loss of employment due to evacuations and/or storm damage may be eligible for local financial assistance.

Complete Community Bridges’ Damage Assessment Form to see if you qualify for help. Complete here online, or visit your nearest FRC location to fill it out in person. 

Filling out this form will allow community groups and social service providers to prioritize your case based on needs, and refer your information to agencies that can support you with volunteers, cleanup tools, food, and financial assistance, among other things. Families and individuals who make less than 80% of the Area Median Income are currently being prioritized until more funding is made available.

Clients who have already filled out the Community Bridges Damage Assessments through our neighborhood outreach or community outreach events do not need to reapply.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

President Biden authorized a major disaster declaration for Santa Cruz County on Jan. 14. The declaration is meant to assist local governments, nonprofits, families, and individuals in recovering from the recent winter storms through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and Small Business Administration loans.

This may include financial assistance for cleanup and sanitation, repairs and other services for eligible agencies and households. Additional resources, including referral lists and legal aid, may be available.

FEMA applications must be submitted by March 16. 

Visit the links below to get started, and contact our Family Resource Collective locations if you need assistance:

 

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS

Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County has four in-person Disaster Recovery Centers open on weekdays.

Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration staff will be available to assist residents and businesses in their recovery from the recent winter storms. Local social service providers will also be available.

The locations and operating hours are below:

SAN LORENZO VALLEY

  • Felton Branch Library: 6121 Gushee St., Felton
  • Weekdays from 10am-6pm

SANTA CRUZ

  • County Governmental Center: 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
  • Weekdays from 9am-5pm

WATSONVILLE

  • City Government Center: 250 Main St., Watsonville
  • Weekdays from 8am-5pm

The Count of Santa Cruz also has a virtual recovery center available here

 

LOCAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

You may qualify for cash assistance to pay for a hotel, temporary rental housing, basic household items or related needs not covered by insurance or other sources. Santa Cruz County and Pajaro Valley community organizations are providing direct financial assistance to local residents and connecting them to other resources. 

Dial 211, or contact any of the resource centers below:

  • Watsonville/Pajaro Valley, La Manzana Community: (831) 724-2997
  • San Lorenzo Valley, Mountain Community Resources: (831) 335-6600
  • Live Oak & Mid-County, Live Oak Family Resource Center: (831) 476-7284
  • Santa Cruz, Nueva Vista Community Resources: (831) 423-5747
  • Davenport & North Coast, Davenport Resource Service Center: (831) 425-8115
  • Pajaro/Monterey County, Catholic Charities: (831) 316-9122

 

FREE CLEANUP TOOL RENTAL

Community Bridges is providing cleanup tools and resources at our Family Resource Collective (FRC) locations to help our community recover from the devastating storms, floods and mudslides produced by the recent unprecedented winter storms.

Community members can rent cleanup items such as air movers, dehumidifiers, wet/dry vacs, carpet cleaners, push brooms, and pressure washers, at no cost. Other single-use cleanup items, such as contractor bags, gloves, sponges, and disinfectant are also available for the community through generous support of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, American Red Cross and Home Depot Foundation grants.

These items are available at the following FRCs (We ask that you call ahead and check for availability):

  • La Manzana Community Resources – 521 Main Street, Ste. Y, Watsonville | 831-724-2997 

  • Live Oak Community Resources – 1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-476-7284

  • Mountain Community Resources – 6134 Highway 9, Felton | 831-335-6600

To rent the equipment, simply complete a damage assessment form and liability release form at one of our FRC locations. Equipment is due and will need to be returned no more than of one week after check out or any time before then. We would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to utilize the equipment.

Community Bridges purchased the majority of the cleanup items available for rent and disbursement through the use of strategic agency reserves. In an effort to expand the program, we are asking the community to donate lightly used tools and new single-use items for the cleanup effort.

Donations can be dropped off at any of our participating FRC locations.  

STORM RECOVERY INFORMATION SESSIONS

Community Bridges hosted storm recovery information sessions for residents of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties via Zoom and in person. Experts on insurance and emergency response were present to answer questions, and we also connected attendees with resources available to them through our community partners. Please help share these recovery resources with our community. Click here to view recordings of meetings and slides.
 

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER LOANS

The Small Business Administration will offer low-interest disaster loans to California businesses and residents following the recent severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3.305% for businesses, 2.375% for nonprofits and 2.313% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For information on the loan program, visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.

 

COMMUNITY BRIDGES FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS

Community Bridges Family Resource Centers provide resource referral & coordination, financial assistance and public benefit enrollment. Please call or visit any of the locations listed below.

FeltonMountain Community Resources, 6134 Highway 9
Monday and Thursday: 9am to 12:30pm, 1pm to 4:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday: 9am to 12pm (by appointment 1-5pm)
Phone (831) 335-6600

WatsonvilleLa Manzana Community Resources, 521 Main St., Suite Y
Monday-Friday, 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 4:30pm
(831) 724-2997

Live OakLive Oak Community Resources, 1740 17th Ave.
Monday-Thursday, 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 5pm
(831) 476-7284

Santa CruzNueva Vista Community Resources, 711 East Cliff Dr.
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 5pm (Closed Thursdays)
Phone (831) 423-5741

CZU Fire Recovery

COMMUNITY BRIDGES RECOVERY RESOURCES

Through participation in the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group, Community Bridges and Catholic Charities provide Disaster Case Manager support for families in need of assistance as they navigate the rebuilding process following the CZU August 2020 Lightning Fire.

Disaster Case Managers provide one-on-one support to achieve effective communication with the Recovery Permit Center and connect families with resources, including funding through the Unmet Needs Committee for families that are experiencing rebuild funding gaps.

To connect with a Disaster Case Manager, please email CZUFireHelp@gmail.com or call 831-920-4764.

How To Help CZU Fire Survivors

To support frontline fire recovery services in your community, please visit:

Santa Cruz Community Foundation Fire Relief Fund

Community Bridges Fire Relief

Community Bridges is providing direct financial assistance, including grocery gift cards, to families impacted by the fire.

Emergency response twitter feed

Click to view on Twitter by Puentes_SC.

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