It’s a mix of immediate and long-term fixes for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District as it continues to struggle with road closures and infrastructure damage in the wake of January’s storms.
Storm Recovery Updates
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Federal climate scientist estimates California suffered more than $1 billion in damage from winter storms
If anyone knows what goes into calculating the cost of natural disasters, it’s Adam Smith, an applied climatologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who has tracked more than 300 different billion-dollar storms dating back to 1980.
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Capitola Village restaurant repairs moving along; some aiming to reopen within weeks
The timelines vary for Capitola Village restaurants’ reopening, but the work is under way, and some look to open within weeks.
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SC County Community Foundation gives $100K in storm relief grants to Capitola restaurants
The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County issued $100,000 in small business grants to food service businesses that have closed because of losses and storm damages.
![FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell [second from right] views damage to Seacliff State Beach with state and local officials.](https://i0.wp.com/lookout.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/urlhttp3A2F2Flookout-local-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com2F152F522F4259b26b416c9ef9b4f4da12953c2F97a2656.jpg?resize=872%2C490&ssl=1)
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With FEMA back, Santa Cruz County asks: Where is the $68M reimbursement for pandemic, CZU fire expenses?
Still waiting for $68 million in FEMA reimbursements from the pandemic and CZU fire, Santa Cruz County has had to take out nearly $50 million in loans to cover basic operations.
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Lookout launches ‘Storms 2023: Road to Recovery’ section
The storms leave many challenges and questions for Santa Cruz County in their wake. Who will pay for the repairs to public infrastructure and private property? Will those financial resources be distributed equitably across the county? As climate change alters our weather patterns, how can we make our communities more resilient to future natural disasters? What does it mean to build back better? And we all need regular updates on road reopenings and infrastructure repairs, resources for residents and businesses affected by the storms and opportunities to donate or volunteer. Our new “Storms 2023: Road to Recovery” is a one-stop shop to find it.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: ‘Build back better’ sounds great. But who is paying and when?
Editorial: Yes, Santa Cruzans are resilient, but this next recovery is fraught with challenges and questions. They begin with money, but now include lots of questions driven by climate change and equity.
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Santa Cruz wraps up emergency repairs to West Cliff Drive, San Lorenzo River levee
The city has finished emergency repairs to West Cliff Drive and the San Lorenzo River levee. As design plans for final repairs get underway, officials still hope to begin construction on the rest this summer.
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County damage estimates up to $76 million; priorities to be discussed Tuesday
Across Santa Cruz County, storm damage cost estimates have reached $76 million. The board of supervisors will discuss priorities with county personnel Tuesday.
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Highway 9 and Highway 236 repair work continues with no reopening dates
Caltrans says crews are working to clear mudslides and repair storm damage to Highway 9 in the Ben Lomond area and Highway 236 near Boulder Creek, but the agency does not yet have an estimated reopening date for either.