Congressman Jim Costa visits a flood-ravaged Tulare County
One day following an atmospheric river that left large portions of the South Valley in six inches of flood waters, Congressman Jim Costa was in Tulare County to assess the damage.
Two and a half months ago we were in an extreme drought conditions, and now we've had a deluge of water that we have not seen in generations," said Congressman Costa in Woodlake.
The congressman, who represents District 21 including portions of Fresno and Tulare Counties, boarded a late flight from Washington, D.C. Friday and arrived March 11 to visit communities hardest hit by the recent storm. During his tour of flooded areas of Tulare County, Congressman Costa visited Orosi and Woodlake.
He also made a stop at the Tulare County Office of Emergency Services.
"Until you see the amount of water that's come down from the mountains, just really it's hard to imagine areas that are experiencing the flooding. Over 70 homes in Woodlake; homes i the Orosi area that people are walking in six inches of water," said Congressman Costa.
The visit made more significant following an approval from the Biden Administration to approve parts of California under a natural disaster status. On March 10, President Joe Biden approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration following California Governor Gavin Newsom's request to allocate federal resources and government fund through F.E.M.A. to help communities most affected by the recent storm which caused historic floods in the South Valley.
"We believe it's going to provide optional funding with FEMA that will provide not only for the relocation efforts, but possible reimbursement for damage that occurred as a result of the flood of homes in we saw two months ago in Planada," said Congressman Costa. "Over half the homes were devastated and the grammar school."
His visit marked by record water run-offs from snowmelt he said had not been seen in generations. Congressman Costa highlighting the excessive rainfall and run-off seen in the St. John's River, nearby creeks, streams and tributaries that flow into the Kings and Kaweah Rivers.
The Office of Congressman Costa is currently working with local counties to determine the extent of the funding available to those throughout District 21.
"We're doing everything we possibly can; we're hoping for a mild Spring," said Congressman Costa. "We hope we can not only protect people from flood control, but use this water later this year and to recharge our groundwater aquifers that is so desperately needed."