Planada- One Year Later –

Community Recovering from Devastating Floods

The community of Planada in Merced County one year after the entire town was flooded by January 2023 rains. Photo: Steve Newvine

When driving through the streets in Planada, Merced County, in January 2024, it’s clear the community is on the mend.

One year ago, the community was coping with floodwater when heavy rains made life difficult for everyone.

Within hours of the disaster, help was on the way. Residents were evacuated to shelters. The Sheriff’s Department set up roadblocks to protect the abandoned homes from looters.

Shortly after the rains ended, residents could return to their homes. Emergency food and water supplies were brought in. Right away, volunteers began jumping in to offer their time.

Photos from the early aftermath of the floods in Planada. Photos: Steve Newvine

Early pictures taken about a week after the floods showed streets lined with debris.

Large trailers from such organizations as Salvation Army and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association set up in the center of town.

A trailer with dozens of washers and dryers was moved in so that residents could catch up on laundry. Daily food distribution followed.

One year later, the debris is gone, the relief organizations have long since moved on to the next critical area of need, and Planada is slowly moving on with what looks like normal.

“I’d guess we are at about seventy-five percent back,” one resident told me as he looked through his neighborhood in mid-January.

The U S Post Office in Planada closed immediately after the floods, and as of January 2024, remained closed. Photo: Steve Newvine

Many of the businesses that were damaged during the 2023 flooding are back up and running.

One notable exception is the U S Post Office that closed after the floods, and as of this writing, is still not open to serve residents.

Some wondered how an agency of the federal government could not find a solution to reopen a post office, even if in temporary quarters.

“We’ve had to go to Merced to pick up our mail,” one resident said.

Inquiries as to the reopening of the post office were being referred by the Town to the postmaster’s office in Merced.

Calls to that office get a recorded message that encourages the caller to remain on the line.

After a two-to-three minute wait, a busy signal is heard over the line.

On our visit in mid-January, contractors were working on painting parts of the post office building. A contractor pointed out how the gutters and drainage system had to be replaced as well.

“More than one contractor, and a landlord from outside the area,” is how one resident described the likely reasons why it has taken more than a year to get the post office building back into shape.

Scenes from the community of Planada one year after the floods of January 2023. Photo compilation: Steve Newvine

On January ninth, the Merced County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation on how a twenty-million dollar state and federal aid allocation will be distributed to help homeowners and business operators recoup some of their out-of-pocket expenses related to the flood aftermath.

According to the presentation, about forty-percent of the money will go toward home repair.

Direct assistance programs for residents will consume a little over twenty-percent.

The rest will go to business support services with about ten-percent of the total going to administration of the money.

It is money that has been promised since the early weeks after the flooding.

There were hearings to find out what the people of Planada wanted as priorities. There was also some frustration over early scenarios about how the money should be spent.

The real test may come as the community sees the government aid come into the area.

The County of Merced will work with community organizations in February on outreach to residents and business owners.

They will explain the aid package and offer help on how to apply. Applications will be accepted beginning March 11 and be closed by April 20.

Today, the streets of Planada show little sign of the horrific damage done by the January 2023 flooding.

Most homes look like they did before the storms. Signs promoting candidates in the upcoming County Supervisor race dot some of the lawns.

It’s been a year of ups and downs as the community rebuilds.

A year ago, the sounds of debris removal trucks and building repair power tools permeated the town in the weeks following the storm.

Today, those sounds are mostly gone; replaced by a weary silence as residents wait on promised financial help.

There is hope however that the wait will soon be over for the reopening of the town’s post office.

Steve Newvine lives in Merced.

His new book, Beaten Paths and Back Roads is available for sale at the Merced Courthouse Museum Gift Shop or online at BEATEN PATHS AND BACK ROADS (lulu.com)

The website Planada20M.com has been set up for residents and businesses impacted by the floods to view the application process for relief.