Storm Damage Leads To State Of Emergency Vote In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a local emergency Tuesday after substantial rainfall led to an atmospheric river the week of Dec. 13, leading to $3.1 million in damages.

The declaration allows the county to seek federal or state assistance to help with repairs.

In addition to the post-fire debris flow event in Foreman Creek, the storm damaged several roads in the county according to a staff report.

“Resident and responder accessibility has also been impeded, with roads closed due to fallen trees, power lines, debris flows, landslides, slip outs, and stormwater infrastructure damage,” the staff report said.

Soil conditions in the county remain saturated, increasing risk of further damage such as more post-wildfire debris flows in the area where the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires burned in 2020, according to staff.