PAJARO — More than two years after the devastating Pajaro Levee breach – which flooded the town of Pajaro, displacing over 3,000 people – residents and local businesses will soon receive the final phase of state disaster relief.
Pajaro, located in northern Monterey County, is still rebuilding after March 2023, when a levee on the Pajaro River breached, flooding the town and causing an estimated $300 million in damages, according to the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency.
“Two years after the devastating floods, Pajaro families are still rebuilding their lives. This final phase ensures that residents who were impacted receive every last available dollar afforded to them,” said Raymon Cancino, CEO of Community Bridges, a 501(c)(3) organization based out of Watsonville, which will be managing some of the funding.
The funds are part of $20 million designated by the California Legislature under Assembly Bill 102 for Pajaro Recovery. Half of the funds are to be used as direct support for flood-affected residents and business owners and the other half for community improvements.
More than $14 million has already been administered by the County of Monterey, according to the Department of Emergency Management’s mid-year report.
The funding has gone toward repairs for local businesses as well as public works projects like an improved crosswalk at Pajaro Middle School and renovations to the Pajaro Library.
North County Fire Protection District, the local fire agency for Pajaro, also received over $300,000 for improved flood response capabilities, including a new rescue boat and specialized training.
Another $2 million was put into the Pajaro Community Grant Program, which funds a wide range of projects, from new local murals to health programs in Pajaro Valley Unified School District to support for Second Harvest Food Bank.
Funding designated for individuals, households and small businesses has been distributed in two phases so far: Phase One assisted with evacuation support; Phase Two helped pay for flood losses like vehicle replacement and home repairs.
Phase Three, which will launch in October, is designated as “Community Resilience” funding. Those who received payments in Phases One and Two will be eligible for additional direct assistance, varying in amount depending on household size. The funding will be managed by Community Bridges, a 501(c)(3) organization based out of Watsonville.
“Our staff will be proactively reaching out to households who qualified before, but we encourage anyone who has changed their contact information or relocated to let us know right away,” said Cancino in a press release.
Community Bridges can be reached at (831) 724-2997.
