San Benito County is preparing for an El Niño winter on the assumption that help from outside may be slow to arrive. Following Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide emergency proclamation, the Board of Supervisors unanimously declared a local state of emergency in September, KSBW reported.

The declarations let property owners and local agencies clear creeks, culverts and ditches that could block water without the usual approval from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the county. Officials also hope the declaration will help them recover money spent on storm prevention and response.

Money and a request to Sacramento

On Sept. 29, supervisors approved a resolution asking the state's Director of Emergency Services for any available assistance, BenitoLink reported. A week earlier, the board moved $500,000 from the county's disaster reserve to preparedness and response. County CEO Esperanza Colio Warren told BenitoLink the county is still waiting on disaster funding from earlier storm years. "We're going to have a lot of rain," she said. "So, it is imperative that we prepare."

'We're all going to be on our own'

Sheriff Eric Taylor told supervisors San Benito County could become an island cut off from neighboring counties. "It's going to be hard for people to come to us," he said, especially when the whole region is hit by the same storm. He said deputies issuing evacuation orders will not argue with residents who refuse to leave; they will move on to the next homes.

Where people and animals would go

  • Shelters: San Benito Farm Housing, with capacity for 288 beds, and Veterans Hall, with 75 to 100 beds, according to the Health and Human Services Agency.
  • Livestock: the county is working on an agreement to use the Bolado Park fairgrounds for large animals. Agricultural Commissioner Ken Griffin said owners will be responsible for feeding and watering their animals there.
  • Levees: Public Works has walked levees and bridges with residents in the Lovers Lane, San Felipe Road and Pacheco Creek areas and promised a follow-up town hall.