Post-Storm Cleanup in Progress in California Town; Power Outage Still Affects Thousands
After experiencing a severe storm that led to mudslides and loss of electricity, a California community is now in cleanup mode. The storm's aftermath left a significant number of residents without power, and the damage caused by mudslides is extensive.
Previously, the community had been warned to evacuate due to the approaching storm. However, these warnings have since been lifted, and the community is now assessing the extent of the storm's damage.
Local Resident's Reaction to the Damage
Janelle Hall, a local resident, was taken aback by the extent of the destruction caused by the storm. She said: "It's bad. I had an idea of what had happened, but seeing it during the day, it's worse than I imagined."
Significant Damage to Homes and Infrastructure
The storm caused a torrent of water to bring mud, debris, and burnt wood down the mountain, leading to significant damage. Cars were buried under thick layers of mud, and streets were covered in a slick, rain-soaked sludge. The area had previously been affected by a fire, which made the soil less able to hold water, causing natural channels to overflow.
Power Outages Persist
Power outages are still a major issue as nearly 3,000 homes remain without electricity. Due to some areas being hard to reach, restoring power might take a while. However, some local businesses are finding ways to keep going. A local coffee shop, for example, is using a generator to keep their operations running and provide a connection point for neighbors.
Community Preparedness and Resilience
Local resident Jeff Lord noted that the community was prepared for the storm and its potential impacts. He added, "When you're dealing with more than a foot of water, sandbags won't really do much good." The community will need to reinforce some sections of their highways, and power lines repairs have already started in several areas.
Local Authorities Maintain Vigilance
As the rain continues, local authorities are remaining vigilant for any further problems. Extra crews have been deployed to ensure swift response if something occurs again. Authorities are also keeping a close watch on the situation.
Neighboring Areas Also Impacted
In Lytle Creek, another local community, residents are also grappling with the storm's aftermath. Over 100 people living in the Happy Jack neighborhood have been cut off from the rest of the community after their only access road was washed away. The resident, Amber Guerrero, narrated how the heavy rainfall coupled with rocks and debris completely destroyed the bridge.
Assessment of Damages Ongoing
Both Lytle Creek and the impacted California town are in the process of assessing how many homes were damaged. As of now, it appears that about 50 homes have been damaged from the mudslide. However, this number could increase as the assessment continues. For the time being, only residents are being allowed in the affected areas.