Nearly five times as much was spent on levee maintenance and flood management on the Pajaro River’s northern bank in Santa Cruz County than on its southern bank in Monterey County where the l…
Twelve miles of levees were built to hold back the Pajaro River — a waterway with Monterey County on one side, Santa Cruz County on the other. But a Bay Area News Group review reveals there had been significantly less flood control work on the south bank where the levee failed this month, catastrophically flooding the small farming town of Pajaro, than along the north bank, where the city of Watsonville escaped a similar fate.
Along the south bank, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency spent about $3.4 million over those same years on Pajaro flood control work, almost five times less. “Our focus is on recovery and re-entry” of the town’s flooded out residents, Bauman said, “and I most appreciate your understanding.” It has long been known that the river’s levee system, built in 1949, offers inadequate protection. Before this year, the town of Pajaro suffered disastrous flooding in 1955, 1958, 1995 and 1998 — when the river rose much higher than it did this month. A long-planned $400 million, six-year improvement project to provide 100-year flood protection just got funded last fall and is expected to get underway in 2025.
As another storm approached March 10, Monterey County officials again warned residents along the Pajaro to prepare for possible flood evacuation, as they did for those along the Salinas and Carmel rivers. That night state officials positioned “flood fighters” to keep watch along the Pajaro River and other trouble spots.and saw water burbling up through holes in the river’s southern embankment. Crews sandbagged around them, but a sinkhole began to form and crews fled to safety as it widened.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Monterey SPCA still caring for over 200 pets after Pajaro floodingMonterey County's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has sheltered nearly 250 pets evacuated over the last two weeks due to flooding of the Pajaro River.
Read more »
Monterey Park mass shooting was hard on the 18 firefighters who saw it allThe Jan. 21 tragedy had a lasting emotional impact on the first responders, and grief counseling — along with peer support — is having a positive impact, says fire Chief Matthew Hallock.
Read more »
In Pajaro, children and teens grapple with displacement after floodingAfter a flood struck their town, children and teens have been displaced, with families living out of their cars, sleeping in emergency shelters or moving out of the county to stay with relatives.
Read more »
LA Times Today: After Monterey Park — the impact of gun violence on our communitiesIt's been two months since families were torn apart in the Monterey Park mass shooting. We're putting the spotlight on gun violence in our latest special, 'After Monterey Park — the impact of gun violence on our communities.' Watch here:
Read more »
Coast Guard Suspends Search in Monterey Bay for Missing 7-Year-Old BoyA search for a 7-year-old boy in the chilly waters of Monterey Bay was suspended Thursday afternoon.
Read more »
State superintendent promises help for Pajaro as town struggles to recover from floodsTwo weeks after a levee break forced the entire town of Pajaro to evacuate, residents are still trying to put their lives back together.
Read more »