While storms in California over the past three weeks have caused major damage to several communities, weather services have forecast more rain for the Golden State, increasing the risk of flooding.
So far, 20 people have lost their lives due to the storms, said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, deputy director of crisis communications and public affairs for the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), at a press conference organized by Ethnic Media Services, in which experts met to talk about the effects that storms have had on the state of California and the safety recommendations for the inhabitants.
Crofts-Pelayo said Governor Gavin Newsom “is committed to continuing to help California communities and maximizing federal aid for those affected.”
In this regard, he noted that the counties eligible for federal assistance for natural disasters are Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz, since they were declared the most affected by the storms.
He also said that weather conditions in the state are expected to improve next Monday, January 23.
For his part, Vance Taylor, chief of the Cal OES Office of Access and Functional Needs, said that “any time there are natural disasters, there are individuals who are more affected. We are talking about older adults, people with disabilities or low-income people.”
The expert stressed the importance of providing these groups of people with the necessary support, as well as informing them of the measures and plans to stay safe in the event of another emergency.
Kim Johnson, director of the California Department of Social Services, recalled that the Social Services Agency allows those affected to recover material losses that have occurred during the storms and noted that those who are interested can obtain more information on the site cdss.va.gov.
In his turn, Tony Cignarale, deputy commissioner of Insurance for Consumer Services and Market Conduct of the California Department of Insurance, indicated that car and home owners who have insurance are covered for storm damage, however, flood damage is not.
Cignarale said information can be obtained by calling 800-927-4357 or at www.insurance.ca.gov.
They recommend avoiding contact with rainwater
Jason Wilken, an epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health, pointed out a number of warnings about storms and said that "the best thing you can do to protect your health is to avoid contact with storm water," noting that in addition to accidents caused by objects or electricity, storm water can cause serious illnesses.
"Storms can also have an impact on drinking water," he said, noting that it is the duty of local authorities to report whether communities' drinking water is safe or not.
For more information about the recommended measures to take in the event of storms, those interested can visit the website www.readycalifornia.org.
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