Filling a Sandbag of Hope-

Merced Community Steps Up to Help Flooded Families

This photo provided by the County of Merced, shows how flood waters covered lower land near Ashby Road off California Highway 99. Photo: County of Merced Facebook page.

Merced Mayor Matthew Serrato had one hope as the New Year was about to begin.

His wish: “I just want to see work get done.”

If the recent storms that hit Merced and surrounding areas are any indication, it would appear the Mayor got his wish.

The community went through a lot as a result of the powerful rains and winds from early January.

The week of January 9 will stand out as a week when the brutality of the weather was overpowered only by the capacity of first responders and volunteers to step up to help their neighbors.

The waters of Bear Creek just barely below the bottom of the McKee road bridge in Merced. Photo: Nathan Quevedo.

On Monday January 9, residents near Bear Creek were evacuated to shelters set up at the Merced County Fairgrounds.

A day later, the entire community of Planada was evacuated.

From the very beginning, the community stepped in to help.

Volunteers staffed the Love INC portable shower ministry that was moved to the County Fairgrounds where a shelter for evacuated residents was set up. In Atwater, volunteers moved quickly to fill sandbags for residents needing them. Photo: Love INC and City of Atwater Facebook pages.

Love INC brought their portable shower ministry to the Fairgrounds. Ordinarily, the showers are offered at an area shelter. This time around, the showers were available to anyone, including the families that were evacuated.

In Atwater, the City’s Facebook page describes the outpouring of help from neighbors simply as “community helping one another”. The volunteers filled sand bags and helped out wherever they were needed.

Even students at Our Lady of Mercy School got into the spirit of helping. They helped fill sandbags for distribution to any homeowner needed them.

The County of Merced provided some of the amazing aerial photographs seen here. The County set up a special storm information link on the County website and asked residents to donate supplies to three flood shelters. Within days, the shelters were stocked. Photo: Merced County Facebook page.

The strongest show of support and assistance from the community of Merced was seen in Planada.

The entire city, some four-thousand residents, was evacuated as rain and wind devastated everything within the confines of city limits.

People from all over the Merced area came in once the first wave of danger had eased off.

The floors of the Planada Community Church were covered with rain water.

Sacred Heart Church in the city is collecting donations of blankets and other needed supplies, working in conjunction with Catholic Charities of Merced County.

The inside of the Planada Community Church when helpers arrived later in the week of January 9. Photo: Annette Macias.

Stores were damaged.

Homes are now mucked up with water and mud.

But the people came, rolled up their sleeves, and got down to work.

On Thursday, the evacuation order was lifted. The County thanked the community and reported that all shelters are fully stocked.

The County asked residents to consider monetary donations and to make these donations through the United Way of Merced.

It’s been a trying January for Merced County and much of the state of California.

The silver lining in these storm clouds has been the willingness of so many people to donate money, goods, and time.

Mayor Seratto got his wish for the New Year. Work is getting done.

Steve Newvine lives in Merced. 

The County of Merced has a website banner offering flood resources and information:  2023 Flood Resources and Information | Merced County, CA - Official Website (countyofmerced.com)

To donate to local flood relief:  United Way of Merced County (unitedwaymerced.org)

Steve’s book Can-Do Californians is available at the Merced Courthouse Museum Gift Shop or online at Lulu.com