Much of California faces another atmospheric river event as heavy rains moved back into the State Monday evening, causing power outages and prompting evacuations.
The storm is the latest severe storm to drench the State, coming on the heels of heavy rains and extreme weather just one week ago, when flash flooding and high winds stretched across the State.
With the ground already saturated from the previous storms over the last two months, the well-above-the-average river and stream levels pose a significant threat to communities along much of the California coast, central Valley, and foothills of the Sierra Mountain range.
Direct Relief is fielding requests for assistance from community healthcare providers throughout California.
“We are currently in a major flooding event which is expected to peak this weekend. A large number of families have been moved into shelters and will greatly increase after this weekend’s flood expansion. The families who have received the kits so far are very grateful. Many of their homes have been destroyed, and they have been left with very little… Your support is greatly appreciated and helps our community.”
– Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas
Direct Relief is also in contact with and prepared to assist the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), the California Primary Care Association, the California Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, and several County Search & Rescue Teams.
Following the record-breaking atmospheric river weather events of January 2023, Direct Relief announced the development of the Search and Rescue Fund and an initial $100,000 to further equip search and rescue teams across the State with needed equipment and gear to support recovery efforts.
Along with the fund, Direct Relief announced the donation of a new high-water Lenco Advanced Rescue Medevac vehicle. This four-wheel-drive truck can traverse water and mud up to nearly 4 feet deep, endure direct flames briefly, and scale 60-degree slopes.
According to Shane Matthews of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the high-water search and rescue vehicle will be dispatched Tuesday morning with a tactical response and rescue personnel team. The team planned to begin service in the Santa Clara Valley corridor, where evacuation orders were issued due to flooding risk as Lake Piru crests and risks overflowing.
Severe weather systems are also occurring elsewhere in the US, including northeast Pennsylvania, far northwest New Jersey, and much of New York State and New England, bringing heavy snow totals up to a foot and a half to the region. In addition to the snow, the area is also expected to be impacted by high winds that threaten power outages, beach erosion, and flooding.
Direct Relief is in contact with health facilities across the Northeast to offer its medical inventory to areas that may be affected by the incoming severe weather. The organization will continue to assess and respond to medical needs as severe weather moves across the country in the coming days.
