Disaster Recovery

Important Health Information about Floodwaters

Floodwaters contain many things that may harm health. We don’t know exactly what is in floodwater at any given point in time.

Floodwater can contain:

• Downed power lines
• Human and livestock waste
• Household, medical, and industrial hazardous waste (chemical, biological, and radiological)
• Coal ash waste that can contain carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic, chromium, and mercury
• Other contaminants that can lead to illness
• Physical objects such as lumber, vehicles, and debris
• Wild or stray animals such as rodents and snakes

• Wound infections
• Skin rash
• Gastrointestinal illness
• Tetanus

If you come in contact with floodwater:

• Wash the area with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer.
• Take care of wounds and seek medical attention if necessary.

When you First Re-enter your Home

Try to return to your home during the daytime so that you do not have to use any lights. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches.

• If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power, even if it delays cleaning. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.
• Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again.
• If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and your house immediately. Do not return until you are told it is safe to do so.
• If the house has been closed up for several days, enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for a while (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for any length of time.
• If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, assume your home has mold.
• If your home has been flooded, it also may be contaminated with sewage. See Floodwater After a Disaster or Emergency.

Use Generators, Propane tanks and other Electrical equipment Safely

• If a generator is online when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard. In addition, the improper connection of a generator to your home’s electrical circuits may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.
• All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. Have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question. For more information, see Protect Yourself and Others From Electrical Hazards After a Disaster.
• Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Visit Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency for more information.
• Propane Safety Reminder: After the flood danger has passed and if you are able to reoccupy a home or business, it is critical to have a qualified service technician perform a complete inspection of your propane gas system. DO NOT use or operate appliances, or turn on the gas supply, until your system has been inspected by a qualified propane technician.

For more information go to https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html

Flood Damage Assessment Map

The Map

About this Map

Map of structures inspected by the CalFire Damage Inspections team. Results of the assessment are color coded as described in the chart below. Damage Inspections are the first step in the reentry process.

Category of Damage	Definition	Flood Examples	Non-Flood Examples
Affected	Structures with minimal damage to the exterior and/or contents of the home.	Any water line in the crawl space or basement when essential living space or mechanical components are not damaged or submerged.	Partial missing shingles or siding. Cosmetic damage such as paint discoloration or loose siding. Broken windows or screens. Gutter damage and debris. Damage to an attached structure such as a porch, carport, garage, or outbuilding not for commercial use.
Minor	Encompasses a wide range of damage that does not affect the structural integrity of the building.	Water line up to 18 inches in an essential living space. Damage to mechanical components (e.g., furnace, boiler, water heater, HVAC, etc.)	Non-structural damage to roof components over essential living space to include shingles (e.g., roof covering), fascia board, soffit, flashing, and skylight. Non-structural damage to the interior wall components to include drywall and insulation. Non-structural damage to exterior components. Multiple small vertical cracks in the foundation. Damage to chimney to include tilting, fallen, cracks, or separated from the residence. Damage to mechanical components (e.g., furnace, boiler, water heater, HVAC, etc.).
Major	A building that has sustained significant structural damage and requires extensive repairs.	Water line above 18 inches in an essential living space, a water line above the electrical outlets, or a water line on the first floor of a building when a basement if completely full.	Failure or partial failure to structural elements of the roof over required rooms to include rafters, ceiling joints, ridge boards, etc. Failure or partial failure to structural elements of the walls to include framing, sheathing, etc. Failure or partial failure to foundation to include crumbling, bulging, collapse, horizontal cracks of more than two inches, and shifting of the residence on the foundation of more than six inches.
Destroyed	The building is a total loss, or damaged to the extent that repair is not feasible.	Complete failure of two or more major structural components (e.g., collapse of basement walls, foundation, walls, or roof).	Only foundation remains. A building that will require immediate demolition or removal because of disaster related damage or confirmed imminent danger (e.g., impending landslides, mudslides, or sinkholes).

How to Use it

To search for your property, enter your address in the search field.

Disclaimer

The damage inspection data is approximate and for informational purposes only. The information and data contained in this report was collected by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) Damage Inspections (DINS) team using a systematic inspection process. Poor access may be a limiting factor for damage inspectors; therefore, a small margin of error is expected. Data collected by CalFire is not intended to assess the value of individual damaged structures or property.

• Monterey County Behavioral Health:
  (888) 258-6029
  • Full range of mental health services

• Domestic Violence Hotline:
  (800) 799-7233
  • Information and referrals to shelters and assistance for domestic violence

• Monterey County Environmental Health:
  (831) 755-4500
  • Water testing kits and info on water quality & well maintenance
  • Septic systems, hazardous material, and waste disposal information
  • Food safety information

• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA):
  (888) 258-6029
  • Substance Abuse and mental health referrals to assistance
  • Disaster distress hotline: Call (800) 985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline Call 9-8-8 or text "GO" to 741741 - 888777

• Monterey County Public Health:
  (831) 755-4500
  • Wide range of health services

• National Safe Place:
  (888) 290-7233 or text “SAFE” and your location to 4HELP (44357)
  • Youth Crisis Support

• Disability Rights CA:
  (916) 504-5800 or TTY: 877-669-6023
  • Legal assistance for disability rights

• ACLU of Northern California:
  (415) 621-2488
  • Legal assistance and information for civil rights violations

• Monterey County District Attorney’s Office:
  (831) 647-7770
  • Report price gouging

• Monterey County Civil Rights Office:
  (831) 755-5117
  • Report civil rights violations, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation

• US Department of Justice:
  (866) 720-5721
  • Report disaster related scams and fraud

• Watsonville Law Center:
  (831) 722-2845
  • Free legal services to low-income individuals on California’s Central Coast

• CA Rural Legal Assistance:
  (831) 757-5221
  • Free legal services for housing, education, employment, and public benefits

• Legal Services for Seniors:
  (831) 899-0492
  • Free legal services to Monterey County seniors, which encompasses elder abuse, income maintenance, fraud, guardianship (of minor children), Social Security, Medicare, Medi-Cal and more

• Monterey County Housing & Community Development (HCD):
  (831) 755-5025
  • Building permit, planning, and reconstruction info & guidance
  • Encroachment applications
  • Construction site inspections
  • Drainage inquiries

• Monterey County Public Works:
  (831) 647-7748
  • Capital project management
  • County infrastructure maintenance (Roads and Bridges)

• Contractors State License Board (CSLB):
  (800) 962-1125
  • Guidance for hiring legitimate contractors

• BEFORE DIGGING, CALL 8-1-1

• Monterey County Ag Commissioner’s Office:
  (831) 759-7325
  • Information and referrals on crop/ livestock losses and recovery assistance
  • Report agricultural employee safety concerns

• California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA):
  (916) 654-0466
  • Agriculture and food safety Information and referrals

• Monterey County Farm Bureau:
  (831) 751-3100
  • Information, advocacy, benefits and services for farmers and rancher

• US Department of Agriculture (USDA):
  (831) 424-7377
  • Recovery assistance to farmers and ranchers for crop or livestock losses

• Community Emergency Response Volunteers of Monterey Peninsula (CERV):
  (831) 649-3050
  • Financial support for farmworkers

• Monterey County Economic Development:
  (831) 784-5602
  • Referrals to local business advocacy groups
  • Grants for small businesses
  • Business recovery guidance

• California Department of Social Services (CDSS):
  (800) 759-6807 (Cal Fresh Hotline: 877-847-3663)
  • Supplemental grant to FEMA assistance
  • Food loss waiver (Disaster Cal Fresh approval pending)

• American Red Cross:
  (800) 733-2767
  • Crisis Counselors
  • Disaster relief information and referrals
  • Disaster preparedness information

• California Employment Development Department (EDD):
  (800) 300-5616
  • Job search, employment, and resume development assistance
  • Assistance with unemployment, lost wages, paid family leave, and disability insurance
  • Extensions to file/pay payroll taxes

• Catholic Charities:
  (831) 393-3110
  • Information and referrals to financial assistance, counseling, food pantries and other essential needs

• California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES):
  (916) 845-8510
  • Disaster response and recovery information and assistance
  • Disaster planning, prep, & prevention

• Community Bridges:
  (831) 688-8840
  • Storm relief for North Monterey County Residents

• Monterey County Clerk Assessors Office:
  (831) 755-5041
  • Replace County vital records
  • Property Tax Relief

• California Department of Public Health (CDPH):
  (916) 445-2684
  • Replace birth, death, and marriage certificated issued in California

• California Department of Tax and Fee Administration:
  (800) 400-7115
  • Sales tax extensions for businesses
  • Disaster recovery referrals and resources to businesses

• California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV):
  (800) 777-0133
  • Vehicle Junking
  • Document replacement (ID, license, registration)

• California Franchise Tax Board:
  (800) 852-5711
  • State tax collection relief and information (form 1034)
  • Copies of tax returns
  • Change of address support
  • Guidance on middle-class tax relief payments

• California Housing and Community Development:
  (833) 421-5990
  • Permitting and document replacement assistance for mobile and manufactured homes

• California Department of Insurance (DOI):
  (800) 927-4357
  • Information and assistance for home inventories, insurance coverage, and claims processes

• Cal Vet:
  (800) 952-5626
  • Military record replacements
  • Information and referrals for veterans benefits and assistance

• United Way of Monterey County:
  2-1-1 or (833) 814-1211
  • Call line with information and referrals to assistance, available 24/7 in 170+ languages
  • Gift cards to disaster victims donated by the CalFire Foundation (http://www.cafirefoundation.org)

• VIDA Community Health Worker Program:
  
  • VIDA project Community Health Workers provide disaster recovery referrals and information. Please reach out to individual VIDA organizations.

• Alert Monterey County:
  Sign up to receive local emergency alerts in Monterey County (https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611217/notif)

• Monterey County Workforce Development Board:
  Toll Free (866) 666-9332 | (844) 932-4249 (Employers)
  • Employment services, job readiness, resume support, job placement (job seekers)
  • Microbusiness grants, job recruitments, small business support and referrals (employers)

• ALL-IN Monterey County:
  
  • Visit ALL-IN Monterey County website for more information on how you can volunteer for grocery deliveries, food drives, and other special events, as well as how to provide monetary and tangible donation items.