Santa Cruz residents and emergency responders prepare for weekend storm

From sandbags to heavy machinery, Santa Cruz County is working to coordinate storm response with the City of Santa Cruz and others.

Forecasts call for a wet winter storm to take aim on the Central Coast this weekend, bringing some much-needed rain for the parched state, but not everyone is looking forward to it.

“I’m not thrilled,” said Gilroy farmer David Willoughby. “We had three fields go under water two days ago, and we are expecting a significant portion of our ranch to go under water.”

Willoughby’s farm is between the Pajaro River and Carnadaro Creek. Every time there’s heavy rain, his farm floods. And he hasn’t even finished cleaning up from a storm that hit weeks ago.

Food safety regulations now consider flooding a safety hazard, which means Willoughby will have to wait 60 days before he can plant again.

“It’s gonna delay our ability to get our crops on the ground and cause us all kinds of problems with scheduling,” Willoughby said.

The storm also brings with it potential mud slides, flooding and power outages, keeping officials busy.

“We’ve been in a drought situation for so long that with these saturation levels coming so quickly behind each other, the water and pooling and flooding, and that type of thing is a real danger,” said Rosemary Anderson with Santa Cruz County Emergency Management.

The rain is expected to affect roadways as well.

“We are also asking if they don’t need to be on the road during these heavy rain events, it’s a perfect time to stay home, watch a movie,” said Paul Horvat with Santa Cruz Fire Department.

But Willoughby will have his eyes fixed on something else.

“Stare at the barn and hope it doesn’t wash away,” Willoughby said.

Officials are also warning those living near rivers, creeks and up in the Santa Cruz Mountains to be extra cautious.

The county is offering free sandbags at the following location for those who need them.

Fire Administration Office
230 Walnut Ave.
Monday through Thursday
8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Santa Cruz Corporation Yard
1125 River St. Office 6A
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

Citizens may then fill the bags with free sand at:

Harvey West Park (at the entrance to the Parks Yard)
326 Evergreen St.

Please bring a shovel to fill the bags with sand.