Yuma, Arizona – Just west of Yuma, in Holtville, California, many homes suffered damage on Monday, with uprooted trees and downed electric poles causing significant issues.
Gerald Ramirez faced a tough situation when his car and home were crushed by falling trees. By Thursday morning, local tree-cutting businesses had generously stepped in to help clear the debris, giving Ramirez and his seven family members a bit of relief.
Many homes in the area experienced roof damage and flooding, leading to evacuations. “I’m hopeless. What are we going to do? What’s going to happen?” Ramirez expressed his frustration.
He expressed gratitude for the community members who came to assist, noting that a GoFundMe page has been created to help his family.
Holtville Fire Chief Alex Silva mentioned that they hadn’t witnessed such extensive storm damage in over a decade, ultimately leading to a state of emergency declaration in Holtville due to severe weather effects.
“We’re going to need some funds to help us. The damage was so widespread; it’s hard to gauge the full extent right now, but it’s clear many needs are arising,” Silva stated.
At least three families in Holtville experienced significant damage to their homes.
Around the county, approximately 300 electric poles fell, leaving about 5,000 customers without power, though by Thursday morning, around 70 were still affected.
The floods posed additional challenges for crews. In one instance, flash floods trapped a driver on a highway, and the car was submerged until help arrived.
Isaac Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix, reported that Imperial County received one to two inches of rain.
“One area particularly hit hard was along Highway 86 near Highway 78, which recorded the heaviest rainfall,” Smith noted.
As remnants of Tropical Storm Juliet moved through southeastern California, authorities cautioned that the situation is still precarious.
“With rain falling on already saturated soil, even a mild gust can take down more trees,” Silva warned.
By Thursday evening, the American Red Cross was getting ready to open a shelter to accommodate displaced residents.
“We hope to provide plenty of room for beds and meals. There’s a commercial kitchen available for the Red Cross,” said Tim Wagner, pastor of Cornerstone Church.
Wagner shared that around 30 people were expected to arrive that Thursday and encouraged anyone needing assistance to contact the American Red Cross or come to Cornerstone Church in Holtville.
The National Weather Service indicated that drier conditions are anticipated for Friday and the weekend.
