MONTEREY COUNTY, CA. - Due to heavy rainfall earlier this month, Monterey County residents forced to evacuate from Pajaro and other areas will have access to free hot meals at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds from March 25 to March 31. The meals will be distributed twice daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The distribution site will be located on the left side of the parking lot, close to the entrance of the fairgrounds. The Red Cross, state agencies, and Monterey County operate the site.
The meals are part of a more significant effort to support the evacuees, who have stayed at the fairgrounds shelter since the floods occurred. When Pajaro residents were informed that they could re-enter the community for preliminary cleanup but not for overnight living, approximately 445 stayed at the fairgrounds shelter. During the interim cleanup period, residents are advised to return daily to the refuge via free transportation provided by Monterey-Salinas Transit.
The flooding has devastated the community, with many people losing their homes and belongings. According to the National Weather Service, the area received over 10 inches of rain in just two days, which caused widespread flooding and mudslides. The damage has been estimated to cost millions of dollars.
The fairgrounds have become a temporary home for many evacuees, with volunteers and staff working around the clock to provide shelter, food, and other necessities. In addition, the hot meals being offered will give some relief to those who have been displaced and are struggling to make ends meet.
Monterey County officials have not yet announced when the community will be habitable again. The cleanup effort is ongoing, and it will likely be some time before residents can return home. In the meantime, the fairgrounds shelter will continue to provide a safe and comfortable place for those affected by the flooding.
The hot meal distribution site is just one example of the outpouring of support that the community has received in the wake of the disaster. So many local businesses and organizations have donated time, money, and resources to help those in need. It is heartening to see the community come together in this way, and it speaks to the resilience and strength of the people of Monterey County.
As the cleanup and recovery efforts continue, we must remember the many individuals and families impacted by this disaster. While the hot meals offered at the fairgrounds are a small gesture, they remind us that we are all in this together and will get through it together.
What other support can we offer to help the Monterey County flood evacuees during this challenging time? Share your thoughts in the comments, and if you found this article worth reading, show some love and buy me a coffee. It will be greatly appreciated and might even prevent me from falling asleep on my keyboard.
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