Recovery efforts, emergency sheltering, and supply distribution continues for those impacted by the Dec. 20 earthquake.
LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
The Humboldt County Local Assistance Center (LAC) will be open at Monument Middle School, 95 Center Street, Rio Dell, CA. on Friday, Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Humboldt County LAC will provide information from participating state, local, and nonprofit agencies to residents who have been impacted by the earthquake. The LAC will provide the opportunity for residents to register to qualify for direct financial assistance. Goods such as water or hot meals will not be distributed through the LAC. Food for People will have a distribution point adjacent to the LAC and will be distributing fruits and vegetables, frozen chicken, and nonperishable pantry items from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30. Representatives from the following state agencies will be present at the LAC:
- California Earthquake Authority (CEA)
- Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
- Department of Insurance (CDI)
- Employment Development Department (EDD)
- Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD)
- California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)
Local representatives will be present from the following agencies and organizations:
- DHHS Social Services
- DHHS Behavioral Health
- DHHS Public Health
- Food for People
- Catholic Charities
- Pay it Forward Humboldt
- Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
- Area1 Agency on Aging
- Assembly of God Ministries
- California Southern Baptists Disaster Response
- California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church (CNUMC)
- Team Rubicon
- American Red Cross
If are in possession of these items, it is recommended that you bring them to the LAC:
- Photo ID
- Household income information
- Insurance documents
- Proof of address (utility bill, cell phone bill, etc.)
Services will be provided in English and Spanish. Agencies present will be providing services regardless of immigration status.
RED CROSS OVERNIGHT SHELTER
The Red Cross Overnight Shelter located at the Fortuna Firemen’s Pavilion, 9 Park Street, Fortuna, CA, is open to community members displaced from the earthquake. Services provided include temporary overnight sheltering, cots and blankets, hygiene kits, snacks and full meals for overnight guests, water, charging stations and small animal sheltering.
Additionally, the Red Cross is available to connect community members impacted by the earthquake with a variety of other services to aid in the recovery process. To learn more, contact 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800- 733-2767).
RIO DELL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION
It has been determined that the supplies distribution site at Monument Middle School will be moving remaining supplies to the Rio Dell Community Resource Center. The moving process is expected to last over the next few days.
The distribution of water and non-perishable food items will take place at the Rio Dell Community Resource Center, located at 406 Wildwood Avenue, Rio Dell, CA. This distribution location will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 30.
CLEANUP ASSISTANCE
The American Red Cross has distributed 198 clean up kits to the impacted communities.
Rio Dell residents may utilize the two dumpsters located outside of Rio Dell City Hall, at 675 Wildwood Avenue, to dispose of earthquake debris. Please do not dispose of hazardous waste in these receptacles. Hazardous items not fit for disposal in these receptacles include leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them. More information regarding hazardous waste disposal can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw.
Residents in Rio Dell who are having trouble getting in touch with their landlords regarding earthquake related repairs to rented dwellings are encouraged to contact the city of Rio Dell at 707-764-3532.
Residents outside of Rio Dell with remaining excess earthquake-related debris should contact their local sanitation provider.
FOOD REPLACEMENT SERVICES
CalFresh recipients who have lost food due to the power outage or earthquake can request replacement benefits by filling out a CF 303 form on the state’s website here, by logging on to their account at Benefitscal.com, visiting the DHHS Social Services Emergency Benefit Replacement web page, or stopping by one of DHHS’s offices.
Additional food assistance programs are available through Food for People. To find a distribution location near you, visit: https://www.foodforpeople.org/need-food.
WATER SAFETY
The city of Rio Dell’s Boil Water Advisory has been lifted. For more information about what do following a boil water advisory visit: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/dwa-comm-toolbox/before/tools/Guidelines-for-Food-Service-508.pdf
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Local businesses impacted by the earthquake are asked to complete a Business Recovery Survey created by the County’s Economic Development Department, GoHumCo. This survey will be used to track, monitor and quantify business losses in Humboldt County following the earthquake.Losses will be totaled and shared with federal and state agencies as we seek outside support for our community. The survey may be accessed here: humboldtgov.org/recoverySurvey
For more business support resources visit: https://www.gohumco.com/379/Economic-Earthquake-Recovery-Response.
DONATIONS
Financial donations to assist with the response can be made directly to the following:
- Rio Dell Fire Department- Venmo: @RioDellFire-Department, GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/3036e4ec, or mailed to 50 W Center St. Rio Dell, CA 95562
- Pay it Forward Humboldt: 707-616-9191, payitforwardhumboldt@gmail.com
- American Red Cross: 1-800-435-7669, redcross.org
STAY INFORMED
The most important thing you can do while the community recovers is to keep informed.
For updated information regarding the Humboldt County earthquake response, please go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter.