Here are the morning’s top stories on Friday, November 22, 2024…
- It’s been more than a year and a half since a levee breach flooded the community of Pajaro. The state of California gave Monterey County $20 million for recovery, with $10 million earmarked for direct aid to residents and businesses. But Pajaro residents are still waiting on most of that money.
- A powerful atmospheric river continues to slam Northern California. Weather conditions have toppled trees, flooded roads, left thousands without power, and forced the closure of some schools as a precautionary measure. The National Weather Service warns Eureka and Humboldt County could see extensive flooding.
- Phillips 66 is facing a six count federal indictment over allegations the company’s LA County refinery violated the Clean Water Act.
Pajaro Residents Are Still Waiting For Millions In Flood Relief Funds
The State of California gave Monterey County $20 million for recovery following the levee breach in Pajaro in 2023, with $10 million earmarked for direct aid to residents and businesses. But the relief dollars have only trickled in from the county.
More than 50 Pajaro residents, business owners, and philanthropists gathered in the community room at Sun Ridge Farms on Nov. 15 for an event called Proudly Pajaro. They were there to discuss the current state of post-flood recovery efforts and to learn about the work that members of the community are doing to build greater economic stability in Pajaro.
Sister Rosa Dolores is a longtime Pajaro resident and executive director of Casa de la Cultura—a local nonprofit that supports migrant farm workers. “We’re meeting every Friday, and we talk about, what can we do?” said Sister Dolores. “What can each family do to prepare for if we have another disaster, not only a flood, but earthquake and all those other things.”
The most recent status report from Monterey County came out in late September. At that time, just under $1.4 million out of $10 million had been distributed to residents and businesses. A county spokesman said on Nov. 19 that he didn’t have a more recent figure, but applications are constantly being processed. The next formal update on the spending is scheduled for the January board of supervisors meeting. Many residents think it’s taking too long.
Storm Drenches Much Of Northern California, Bay Area
An atmospheric river storm has dumped heavy rainfall on Northern California for two straight days, and is expected to continue into Friday, before another storm will move into the region.