Officials offer update on county flooding

Office of Emergency Services is asking residents affected by the flooding to fill out a survey to gather information on damage and losses
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The San Benito County Office of Emergency Services on Sunday night provided an update on the recent Pacheco Creek flood that impacted Lovers Lane and San Felipe Road north of Fairview/Shore Road.

The county health department's alert regarding potential contamination of drinking water to the individual well systems of the area is still applicable, though the OES said, "At this time, only residents on Lovers Lane between the addresses of 7011 up to Highway 152 and San Felipe Road between the addresses of 6805 to 7210 may be affected," as might other areas where flooding occurred. 

Officials offered the following recommendations to those impacted by the flooding:

  • If your private well was never submerged by flood water, your well is safe from contamination caused by the flood.
  • Only wells that made contact with flood water are at risks of contamination.
  • Wells that have been affected must be tested by a professional service to confirm that it has not been contaminated. Well and water testing is the responsibility of the homeowner.
  • Bottled water usage should be continued until wells are tested and cleared of contaminants.
  • Water will no longer be made available at the Dunneville Market after Sunday, Jan. 15.

The Office of Emergency Services is requesting that residents affected by the flooding fill out a brief survey to gather information on damage and losses. "This data will help the county provide information seek additional benefits and services from the state and federal government," a press release from the OES said. This survey can be located at www.sanbenitorecovers.org.

Upcoming storm

The National Weather Service is predicting another round of rain in the coming week. The Pacheco Creek flood area is expected to receive three-quarters to an inch-and-a-half of rain from Wednesday through Friday. San Benito County volunteers and non-governmental agencies will be assembling sandbags that will be made available near Lovers Lane on Monday, Jan. 16 at the corner of Shore Road and Lovers Lane.

For further developments and information on this emergency, visit the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page.  

 

Adam Breen

Adam Breen has been a San Benito County resident since 1980 and graduated from Sacred Heart School and San Benito High School before earning a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno. A father of two sons, Adam has taught newspaper, English and yearbook at SBHS for the past decade, after six years as a magazine editor for Santa Clara University. He previously was editor of the Hollister Free Lance and content director for BenitoLink.