Storms 2023: Lookout’s full coverage

Coverage of the storms that hit Santa Cruz County in January 2023 and the cleanup and recovery efforts that have followed.

Jump to: Santa Cruz Updates / South County Updates / Mid-County Updates / Santa Cruz Mountain Updates

Santa Cruz County Storm Central: The latest on the winter storms, swell damage

Santa Cruz County Storm Central: The latest on the winter storms, swell damage

by Wallace Baine, Max Chun, Mark Conley, Tamsin McMahon, Christopher Neely, Hillary Ojeda, Will McCahill and Fernando Haro Garcia January 3, 2023January 20, 2024

Storm damage at Soquel mobile home park unearths decades-old county plan to remove it from flood plain

Storm damage at Soquel mobile home park unearths decades-old county plan to remove it from flood plain

by Christopher Neely February 6, 2023January 24, 2024

Devastated by storms and denied by insurance, Lompico residents navigate uncertain recovery

Devastated by storms and denied by insurance, Lompico residents navigate uncertain recovery

by Hillary Ojeda January 23, 2023May 3, 2024

From the Civic to Depot Park: How are Santa Cruz’s unhoused citizens holding up in the storms?

From the Civic to Depot Park: How are Santa Cruz’s unhoused citizens holding up in the storms?

by Mark Conley January 12, 2023

Watsonville residents near Pajaro River tributaries seek answers in aftermath of Santa Cruz County storms

Watsonville residents near Pajaro River tributaries seek answers in aftermath of Santa Cruz County storms

by Mark Conley January 30, 2023January 24, 2024

Capitola Village’s magic has taken a beating, but you can help rekindle the #capitolalove

Capitola Village’s magic has taken a beating, but you can help rekindle the #capitolalove

by Wallace Baine January 15, 2023

Storm Recovery Updates

Levee agreement marks a watershed moment for the people of Watsonville and Pajaro

Levee agreement marks a watershed moment for the people of Watsonville and Pajaro

by Christopher Neely November 27, 2023December 17, 2023

Flooded California towns secured millions in aid. Who gets the money?

Flooded California towns secured millions in aid. Who gets the money?

by Nicole Foy November 17, 2023December 17, 2023

No atmospheric river after all: Santa Cruz County to face milder rainstorm this week

No atmospheric river after all: Santa Cruz County to face milder rainstorm this week

by Max Chun November 15, 2023December 17, 2023

‘A Dark and Rising Tide’: Novelist’s supernatural twist on Capitola Village’s devastating winter storm

‘A Dark and Rising Tide’: Novelist’s supernatural twist on Capitola Village’s devastating winter storm

by Wallace Baine October 19, 2023December 15, 2023

County’s infrastructure leaves residents at ‘heightened flood risk’ as another abnormal winter looms

County’s infrastructure leaves residents at ‘heightened flood risk’ as another abnormal winter looms

by Christopher Neely October 18, 2023December 17, 2023

$65M in storm-related losses just one of many challenges ag chief sees for Santa Cruz County farmers

$65M in storm-related losses just one of many challenges ag chief sees for Santa Cruz County farmers

by Jessica M. Pasko October 18, 2023December 15, 2023

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Start your day with Morning Lookout

A weekday morning email roundup of top headlines, events and features, and all the things that Santa Cruzans need to know for their day.

SANTA CRUZ STORM UPDATES

Santa Cruz City Council votes to restore two-way traffic on West Cliff Drive; work to begin next week

Santa Cruz City Council votes to restore two-way traffic on West Cliff Drive; work to begin next week

by Max Chun September 13, 2023April 4, 2024

With some West Cliff-area repairs still a year out, Westside residents push for better traffic safety measures

With some West Cliff-area repairs still a year out, Westside residents push for better traffic safety measures

by Max Chun September 11, 2023April 4, 2024

City set to restore two-way traffic to stretch of West Cliff Drive

City set to restore two-way traffic to stretch of West Cliff Drive

by Max Chun September 8, 2023April 4, 2024

Valley fever could hit California hard; the drought-to-downpour cycle is to blame

Valley fever could hit California hard; the drought-to-downpour cycle is to blame

by Summer Lin August 2, 2023

Traffic calming, new infill walls and flying cars on West Cliff: Residents air concerns at wide-ranging meeting

Traffic calming, new infill walls and flying cars on West Cliff: Residents air concerns at wide-ranging meeting

by Max Chun June 7, 2023April 4, 2024

Santa Cruz City Council backs proposed 50-year plan for West Cliff Drive

Santa Cruz City Council backs proposed 50-year plan for West Cliff Drive

by Max Chun May 24, 2023April 4, 2024

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SOUTH COUNTY STORM UPDATES

After 68 years, a new Pajaro River levee is now all but guaranteed, set to begin summer 2024

After 68 years, a new Pajaro River levee is now all but guaranteed, set to begin summer 2024

by Christopher Neely November 22, 2023November 29, 2023

Six months after levee breach flooded their classrooms, Pajaro Middle School students settle into new normal

Six months after levee breach flooded their classrooms, Pajaro Middle School students settle into new normal

by Hillary Ojeda September 12, 2023

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’s bill could speed Pajaro River levee repairs by skipping state environmental rules

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’s bill could speed Pajaro River levee repairs by skipping state environmental rules

by Christopher Neely September 5, 2023

As El Niño gathers strength, lawmakers look to fortify Pajaro’s flood-ravaged levee

As El Niño gathers strength, lawmakers look to fortify Pajaro’s flood-ravaged levee

by Suzanne Rust September 1, 2023

As Pajaro River levee repairs begin, questions remain around the long-sought replacement

As Pajaro River levee repairs begin, questions remain around the long-sought replacement

by Christopher Neely August 28, 2023December 17, 2023

Capitola Wharf repairs to begin in September, with plans to reopen next summer

Capitola Wharf repairs to begin in September, with plans to reopen next summer

by Max Chun August 24, 2023December 17, 2023

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MID-COUNTY STORM UPDATES

As Big Pharma opioid settlement cash trickles into county coffers, officials turn to community for input

As Big Pharma opioid settlement cash trickles into county coffers, officials turn to community for input

by Christopher Neely June 19, 2023May 3, 2024

Record wet winter inflicted more than $210M in damage to California parks — $100M at Seacliff alone

Record wet winter inflicted more than $210M in damage to California parks — $100M at Seacliff alone

by Terry Castleman June 16, 2023December 17, 2023

Rio Del Mural: Taylor Reinhold spearheads splashy new piece in storm-battered village

Rio Del Mural: Taylor Reinhold spearheads splashy new piece in storm-battered village

by Wallace Baine May 18, 2023December 17, 2023

My Thai Beach in Capitola Village back open after storm devastation

My Thai Beach in Capitola Village back open after storm devastation

by Jessica M. Pasko May 9, 2023

Minority farmers on the Central Coast need relief now!

Minority farmers on the Central Coast need relief now!

by Josefina Lara Chavez and Ronnie Lipschutz and Ann Lopez May 4, 2023

Zelda’s reopens following significant storm damage

Zelda’s reopens following significant storm damage

by Jessica M. Pasko April 25, 2023December 17, 2023

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Santa CRuz Mountains STORM UPDATES

Soquel Demonstration State Forest set to reopen Tuesday, months after suffering winter storm damage

Soquel Demonstration State Forest set to reopen Tuesday, months after suffering winter storm damage

by Lookout Santa Cruz Staff October 10, 2023

Santa Cruz Mountains communities brace for turmoil as home insurers leave California over wildfire risk

Santa Cruz Mountains communities brace for turmoil as home insurers leave California over wildfire risk

by Hillary Ojeda June 28, 2023May 3, 2024

More road closures on the way as Caltrans prepares to shut Highway 236 on Monday

More road closures on the way as Caltrans prepares to shut Highway 236 on Monday

by Max Chun May 3, 2023December 17, 2023

Highway 9 overnight closures set for next week; two-way traffic could return by midweek

Highway 9 overnight closures set for next week; two-way traffic could return by midweek

by Max Chun April 20, 2023December 17, 2023

An epic 31 atmospheric river storms transformed California. The mystery is why

An epic 31 atmospheric river storms transformed California. The mystery is why

by Grace Toohey April 11, 2023

‘This is beyond’: Recovery underway in Santa Cruz Mountains after wind-whipped trees crush dozens of homes

‘This is beyond’: Recovery underway in Santa Cruz Mountains after wind-whipped trees crush dozens of homes

by Christopher Neely April 5, 2023December 17, 2023

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Santa Cruz County Storm Central: The latest on the winter storms, swell damage

Santa Cruz County Storm Central: The latest on the winter storms, swell damage

January 3, 2023January 20, 2024

MORE STORM News

8 months after storms, California disaster relief slowly flows to undocumented workers who lost homes, income

8 months after storms, California disaster relief slowly flows to undocumented workers who lost homes, income

by Nicole Foy August 16, 2023December 17, 2023

As threat of El Niño winter looms, Newsom signs order to hasten levee repairs

As threat of El Niño winter looms, Newsom signs order to hasten levee repairs

by Hayley Smith, Ian James and Susanne Rust August 9, 2023December 17, 2023

Winter’s floodwaters have receded in the Pajaro Valley, leaving behind fertile ground for lawsuits

Winter’s floodwaters have receded in the Pajaro Valley, leaving behind fertile ground for lawsuits

by Christopher Neely July 10, 2023December 17, 2023

Watsonville, Pajaro residents send warning shot as winter flood lawsuits against governments appear imminent

Watsonville, Pajaro residents send warning shot as winter flood lawsuits against governments appear imminent

by Christopher Neely July 7, 2023December 17, 2023

Months after Pajaro levee breach, hundreds of flood evacuees are still living in hotels, waiting to return home

Months after Pajaro levee breach, hundreds of flood evacuees are still living in hotels, waiting to return home

by Hillary Ojeda June 19, 2023December 17, 2023

California to send $95 million to undocumented flooding victims months after promising ‘rapid response’

California to send $95 million to undocumented flooding victims months after promising ‘rapid response’

by Nicole Foy May 31, 2023December 17, 2023

Move the lighthouse on West Cliff? With possible sea cave collapse, city council looking at alternatives

Move the lighthouse on West Cliff? With possible sea cave collapse, city council looking at alternatives

by Max Chun May 23, 2023April 4, 2024

Monterey County shelter at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds to close Monday

Monterey County shelter at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds to close Monday

by Hillary Ojeda May 15, 2023December 17, 2023

Pajaro Middle School to remain closed through next school year after damage caused by levee breach

Pajaro Middle School to remain closed through next school year after damage caused by levee breach

by Hillary Ojeda May 12, 2023December 17, 2023

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