California Storms Dwindle; Melting Snow Could Cause More Flooding

1 of 4

Damage to a home in Pajaro, California, following flooding from a California Atmospheric River event. The entire household has been destroyed. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross

2 of 4

American Red Cross volunteers Mark Montgomery and Harry Ladewig distribute cleanup supplies and water to Pajaro, CA residents affected by a California Atmospheric River event. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross

3 of 4

Red Cross volunteers unload cleanup supplies to be distributed to Pajaro, CA residents affected by a California Atmospheric River event. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross

4 of 4

Red Cross volunteers organize the cases of water to be distributed to Pajaro, CA residents affected by a California Atmospheric River event. Photo by Jaka Vinsek/American Red Cross

April 04, 2023

Read stories here from some of the people impacted, as well as details of the Red Cross response to the California storms.

After three months of atmospheric rivers that displaced tens of thousands of people, the storms have subsided in California. But, the long road to recovery is just beginning.

The severe weather caused levees to fail, rivers to overflow and communities to flood. Homes were destroyed and people in some communities still can’t go home because their neighborhoods are cut off by rising rivers. The fear now is that the record-setting snowpack left behind in the mountains may cause more dangerous flooding as the snow melts.

RED CROSS RESPONSE As of April 4, 2023, more than 1,730 trained disaster workers have deployed to help people affected by this severe weather.

The Red Cross and partners have provided more than 24,800 overnight stays for more than 2,800 residents in 145 emergency shelters. With the help of partners, more than 152,300 meals and snacks have been provided, along with more than 46,600 relief items including comfort kits and other supplies. The Red Cross has also helped more than 1,720 people with support such as the replacement of eyeglasses and medical needs like prescriptions. In all, more than 13,200 households have been served.

YOU CAN HELP people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

For those interested in helping people specifically affected by the recent storms and floods in California, we ask that they write “California Storms and Floods” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Find the donation form at redcross.org/donate.

DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

If you are being impacted by this severe weather, find important safety information here on topics such as flooding, power outages, removing snow from roofs and more.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.