A series of significant atmospheric river storms during the 2022-23 winter impacted residents throughout Santa Cruz County, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure. Click here to learn how the storms impacted our County.

To sign up for CruzAware emergency alerts, visit CruzAware.org.

President Biden authorized a disaster declaration for Santa Cruz County on April 3, 2023, covering damages caused by severe winter storms beginning February 21, 2023, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Santa Cruz County including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will also open in Santa Cruz and Watsonville to provide in-person assistance with FEMA claims and appeals. Further information on DRC locations and hours will be forthcoming.

President Biden previously authorized a disaster declaration for Santa Cruz County on Jan. 14, 2023, covering damages occurring between Dec. 27, 2022 and January 31, 2023. The deadline to apply for individual assistance under that declaration was March 16. If you applied and have ongoing appeals or received requests for additional information, please call 800-621-FEMA or visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

Bilingual FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362. Available until 8 p.m. PST.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.

  • For a printable storm preparedness checklist, click here.
  • Sign up for CodeRed emergency alerts, click here.
  • Know your zone! Look up your evacuation zone at https://aware.zonehaven.com/search.
  • Make a family emergency/evacuation plan  https://www.ready.gov/plan and check on your neighbors.
  • Fuel up your vehicle and generator. Resupply fuel backups if needed.
  • Make sure you have enough food and supplies for extended outages, including dry and canned goods.
  • Plan for home heating without power.
  • Charge your devices including cell phone, tablet, laptop and recharge any backup chargers.
  • Secure outdoor items that may blow away in high winds including patio furniture
  • Use sandbags to mitigate flooding on your property; For a list of sandbag locations in unincorporated parts of the county, click here.
  • For more information on weather and disaster preparedness, click here

  • Stay tuned to trusted news sources (County and local agencies, KSBW, KION, KAZU, KSQD, Sentinel, Good Times, Lookout, etc)
  • Avoid flooded roads, and never try to drive across a flooded road
  • Do not attempt to drive over or otherwise disturb PG&E wires.
  • Saturated soils mean slopes may fail. Be aware of your property and your environment.

Please follow local news or official media accounts at www.twitter.com/sccounty or www.facebook.com/countyofsantacruz for updates and additional information.