Before the latest storms hit this week, Office of Emergency Services Manager Kevin O’Neill offered more details on damage caused by floods.
O’Neill is heading up response efforts after rain pummeled San Benito County last week and particularly the Lovers Lane area.
While touring the scene of the floods Jan. 26, O’Neill noted how the area is “very poorly irrigated” and he mentioned how the county has limited jurisdiction.
“If it doesn’t come under the road, we can’t do anything,” he said.
O’Neill said his agency was trying to have as much of a presence as possible in the aftermath to help residents. Some of the properties were hit hard, like one on Lovers Lane where three or four pickup trucks were hauled out, totaled.
He said the county last week had been trying to gather as much information as possible in order to get outside help.
“We’re probably not going to get a presidential proclamation. They’re talking about 500 destroyed houses for something like that,” O’Neill said.
Last week, it was still unclear how much structural damage had been done to the levy, although O’Neill showed the breach areas, including one where water may have flowed over first.
“It’s really hard to say. In reality, probably the entire levy needs to be maintained in some way,” he said, adding how it’s complicated due to the public-private oversight.
He pointed out San Benito isn’t the only place with related issues.
“It’s just slow going,” he said. “We’re not the only ones. Pajaro’s having issues.”
