California neighbors are helping Pajaro flood victims
The Watsonville community came together on Sunday to aid Pajaro flood victims who remain evacuated from their homes more than a week after a levee breach flooded their community.
By Leslie Duarte
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WATSONVILLE, California (KSBW) — The Watsonville community came together on Sunday to aid Pajaro flood victims who remain evacuated from their homes more than a week after a levee breach flooded their community.
Neighbors and community leaders gathered on the Watsonville side of the Pajaro River Bridge to hand out food and essential items to evacuees. Among those helping was a local business owner who made over 300 hot sandwiches and a group of women who handed out homemade meals.
One of the organizers said different people and organizations have been feeding evacuees daily. They say they do it so evacuees don’t have to worry about buying food.
“To offset their expenses a bit because they can’t be paying for a hotel and food. So, if we can contribute a grain of sand, we will gladly do so,” Jannet Fierro said in Spanish.
As of Sunday, 367 people were staying at the evacuation shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, but some evacuees have decided to stay elsewhere, like their cars.
Monterey County says they have room to take in more people and hope those sleeping in their cars come to the shelter instead.
“We want to serve the needs of the people so they can come to any of our shelters without any trepidation whatsoever,” said Nick Pasculli, a county spokesperson. “They’ll be greeted by compassionate people who care and who want to help.”
As for the return home, Monterey County is still evaluating the damage in the town of Pajaro and is currently in phase two of a four-step plan to get people back into their homes.
“These are door-to-door inspections, house-to-house inspections. So it does take time,” Pasculli said.
In the meantime, community leaders say they will continue to help their Pajaro neighbors in need.
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