Pajaro community still feeling the affects from 2023 storms

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV) --A fateful time in March 2023 saw the town of Pajaro get hit with a major flood.

$20 million was distributed by the State of California to the County of Monterey to help address the damage caused by the flooding, plus help prevent future flooding. These are being distributed with community partners following state requirements.

Yet, despite that, some residents are still feeling the pinch. Elba Carrillo tells me that all she has seen so far was a $600 food gift card from the county.

She says she sent photos of damage to her home to the county for reimbursement, but has yet to hear back.

Another resident discussed how it feels like promises for relief were not met by the county.

"The only thing sometimes you have it's direct communication from calls between one and the other and still not enough because we hear promises, we hear him and things, but not not enough," Leonardo Torres said.

Monterey County District 2 Supervisor Glen Church told me that $10 million is being given to residents and businesses, with the other $10 million for service and infrastructure.

$600,000 has already been distributed to business for loss and beautification through the Pajaro small business association as a September according to the Monterey County Workforce Development Board.

Additional data from the county suggests distributions continue on a weekly basis ranging from $27,000 to $30,000 total per week.

As for the levees, Mark Strudley of Pajaro regional flood management tells me the fix up where the levee broke on the Pajaro side is expected to cost $1.3 million dollars.

The county says it’ll be a two-year process for the full disbursement of the $20 million is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.