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Dear Community Member:
Our communities are still experiencing severe weather, flooding, and storm surge. As we experience the next round of storms, my office is working together with local and state partners to share up-to-date public safety information, coordinate emergency response, and advocate for the necessary state and federal resources we’ll need to recover.
By now, we’ve all seen the impact of these storms on our coastal communities. Whether you’re a resident or live nearby, seeing this devastation is heart breaking, but we can, and we will, rebuild. Right now, your safety, and that of your neighbors, must be our number one priority.
For the latest information on evacuation orders and other emergency response, please visit:
You can also get information on your community’s evacuation status: here.
We are anticipating a series of storms over the next several days. Due to potential for more severe weather, it is advised not to remove sandbags from your home until we are in the clear. Resources for sand and sandbag locations are below.
- You can find Santa Cruz County sand & sandbag locations: here.
- You can find Monterey County sandbags: here.
- You can find Monterey County sand stockpiles: here.
- You can find Santa Clara County sandbags: here.
Be aware, conditions can change rapidly. It is advised that you and your household prepare for the chance of evacuation or other emergency action. You can prepare by:
- Packing a “to go” bag with the items you may need in the event of an evacuation, including important documents.
- Store valuables at higher levels in your home.
- Placing sandbags around your home, especially if you are located near a river or stream.
- Making a plan for your pets, for more information visit: here.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, please be mindful of the following safety tips:
- If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately for your own safety and the safety of others.
- If you must travel, check road conditions and closures ahead of time. The Caltrans QuickMap is a helpful resource to check for road closures.
- Don’t drive, walk, or swim through flood waters.
- Only return home when emergency responders say it is safe to do so.
In the coming days and weeks, I’ll advocate strongly for the federal assistance that our communities will need to recover and rebuild.
I strongly support Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a Presidential Emergency Declaration and I’m ready to work with the Biden Administration to ensure that they provide the necessary support for our communities through FEMA and other federal agencies. I am coordinating with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and urging them to work with Caltrans for emergency resources and to expedite road repairs. I am working with the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure it provides adequate assistance to businesses damaged by the storm. And I am in personal contact with the FEMA Regional Director to encourage the strongest possible response to help our communities recover.
If you have any questions or issues that I can help you with, please call or contact my Congressional offices in Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Washington, D.C. or through panetta.house.gov. Please do not hesitate to reach out and let me know how I can continue to best serve you. |