Your Red Cross Update

Regional Red Cross teams continue work with counties to help those displaced

This information was last updated on Wednesday,  February 3, at 10 a.m.

Current situation: In response to the evacuation of some 15,000 people in the Central Coast area due to last week’s dangerously wet and windy storms in Northern California, regional Red Cross teams have mobilized to support to those in need.

How we have been helping during this emergency response:

As of Monday morning ( February 1), the American Red Cross had 100 disaster responders on this job who are providing assistance to residents affected by this week’s evacuation orders. Working with our partners, these Red Cross responders have:

• Staffed Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) established in Monterey, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties to assist residents under evacuation orders.
• Provided over 2,650 meals and snacks to those displaced.
• Provided more than 1,200 total overnight stays in hotels for displaced evacuees.

Our Disaster Health and Mental Health team members are also supporting people affected by this week’s storm. Even when the immediate danger has passed, the impact can still be felt. Taking those first steps toward recovery can be easier with a little support. Here are some very helpful tips from them. To date, the Red Cross has:

• Provided nearly 165 individual care contacts to those affected.

As the needs of those returning home become clear, the Red Cross is also ensuring emergency relief supplies such as clean-up kits are available to those who need them.

Support at evacuation centers:

As of Saturday morning, all Temporary Evacuation Points (TEPs) have been closed as county officials have lifted most evacuation orders and residents begin to return home across Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Monterey Counties.

Before Monterey County closed their TEPs, Red Cross teams helped staff two locations for county for residents affected by evacuation orders. Those TEPs had been operational at the following locations:

• Carmel Valley Library, 65 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93942
• Toro Park School, 22500 Portola Dr., Salinas, CA, 93908

With the closing of Monterey County TEPs, residents are advised to call 211 if they have questions regarding evacuation orders and safety information. Assistance is available in English and Spanish. Information is also available on the Monterey County EOC web site. To register for emergency alerts, visit www.alertmontereycounty.org. Residents of this county may also text MCWINTER to 888777 for updates.

Before Santa Cruz County closed their TEPs, Red Cross teams had also been staffing three similar TEPs in that county for residents affected by evacuation orders. Those TEPs had been operational at the following locations:

• San Lorenzo Valley High School — 7105 Hwy. 9, Felton, CA 95018
• Scotts Valley Community Center — 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
• Pacific Elementary School — 50 Ocean Street, Davenport, CA 95017

With the closing of Santa Cruz County TEPs, the county has established a resource number that evacuees can call if they need assistance. That number is: 831-454-2181.

Evacuation orders:

• Santa Cruz County — With evacuation orders lifted in this county, we informed our hotel clients from this county about this change on Thursday. Residents are making plans for their next steps by either returning home or moving into more comfortable long-term housing. Our Red Cross workers have been reaching out to assist residents in making such plans. For evacuation information in this county, visit zonehaven.com.
• Monterey County — With evacuation orders lifted in most areas of this county, residents are making plans for their next steps by either returning home or moving into more comfortable long-term housing. Our Red Cross workers have been reaching out to assist residents in making such plans. For evacuation information in this county, visit www.co.monterey.ca.us/winterstorm.
• San Mateo County — With evacuation orders lifted in this county, we informed our hotel clients from this county about this change on Thursday. Residents are making plans for their next steps by either returning home or moving into more comfortable long-term housing. Our Red Cross workers have been reaching out to assist residents in making such plans. For evacuation information in this county, visit zonehaven.com.

Other related information from the American Red Cross:

• Please prepare now: For tips and other information about a range of emergency situations, please visit redcross.org/gethelp to learn more.
• How has our Red Cross disaster response work been modified because of the pandemic? See this story.
• You can support our disaster-response work in two very important ways: Become a Red Cross volunteer and/or make a financial donation.
  • Become a volunteer: Please consider getting trained as a Shelter Worker so that you can help us help others during wildfires and other large disasters. For more information and/or to start your application process; just go today to redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html.
  • Make a financial donation: Just go here and designate your gift for Disaster Relief. Thank you so very much!