Visitors, we will welcome you back to Santa Cruz County soon. But please, DO NOT visit us now. Air quality is poor, ash is everywhere, and we’re dealing with an unparalleled catastrophe. This is no time for a day at the beach. Thank you.
The storm has caused significant damage throughout the county and along the coast, including heavy damage to piers in Capitola and Seacliff. High tide and large surf is a dangerous combination - avoid the coast.
Coastal flooding is impacting coastal neighborhoods. Please be prepared should an evacuation warning or order be necessary.
#SantaCruzCounty
AVOID THE COAST.
Among
#CZULightingComplex
evacuees at the Watsonville Fairgrounds: 164 horses with another 50 on the way, 19 pigs, 302 goats, 20 geese, 3 tortoises and 3 turtles, 12 rabbits, 49 sheep, 4 alpacas 16 dogs and 12 cats, 300 chickens and 2 maras.
That, and 1 bison on the way.
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has arrived in Santa Cruz County. Vaccine administration to front-line health care workers could begin as early as tomorrow. Thank you all for the sacrifices you’ve made to protect this community. Help is on the way.
#Science
We need larger family tents and cases of water. If you can donate, please deliver to the Emeline warehouse, rear of Emeline complex, 1082 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz.
Great news!
@CALFIRECZU
has determined that the
#CZULightningFire
has been fully extinguished and is at no risk of reigniting. Fire now deemed “controlled.” Thank you!
Please DO NOT bring donations to shelter sites. They are not set up to receive donations. Cash donations are best and can be made to Fire Response Fund at . Thank you!
We have CANCELLED the Red Flag Warning.
Stay weather aware as weak cells are still over the North Bay; however, most moisture has moved north of our area and instability has decreased giving us confidence to let the warning expire early.
#CAwx
IF YOU LIVE IN THE BOULDER CREEK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, INCLUDING THE TOWN OF BOULDER CREEK AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, EVACUATE NOW. LEAVE SOUTH ON 9 OR EAST ON BEAR CREEK. DO NOT GO NORTH ON 9 OR ALONG 236.
.
@CALFIRECZU
has additional resources on the
#CZULightningComplex
and has saved numerous homes in the fire zone. They are doing EVERYTHING they can to save lives and property. Please do not go back into evacuation zones -- it ties up critical safety public resources. Thank you!
The current status of roads throughout Santa Cruz County is ... not good. Avoid travel if at all possible, especially in the San Lorenzo Valley. Check for updates at .
LIGHTING COMPLEX FIRE DONATIONS
Residents displaced by the CZU August Lightning Complex fires are in urgent need of donations. We ask that all donations be in new condition. Please bring all donations to the Santa Cruz County Warehouse at 1082 Emeline, Santa Cruz. 1/4
EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY
Ben Lomond and Lompico must evacuate immediately. If you are unable to stay with friends or family, call the Red Cross at 1-866-272-2237.
All areas south of Bear Creek between 9 and 17 and down to the city limits of Santa Cruz are in an evacuation advisory.
#CZULightningComplex
(Includes the Waddell Fire, Warrenella Fire 5-14 Fire, 5-15 Fire, & 5-18 Fire) in various locations across San Mateo & Santa Cruz Counties remains 86,509 acres and 99% contained. In unified command.
@CALFIRECZU
Evacuation warnings have been issued for UCSC, Paraside Park and parts of Scotts Valley west of Highway 17. A warning requests residents be on alert for possible evacuations, but does not require further action at this time.
It’s extraordinarily hot out there and your firefighters at
@CALFIRECZU
and elsewhere and battling blazes on multiple fronts. Please give them a shout of gratitude if you can. Thank you firefighters!
For the first time a very long time, active COVID-19 cases in Santa Cruz County are below 100, and there are no cases in local hospitals. Thank you to the nearly 70 percent of you who have received at least one vaccine shot - let's keep the momentum going!
A vigil will be held Sunday at 2:26 pm outside the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office to remember Damon Gutzwiller, 38, who leaves behind a wife and young child, with another on the way.
If you are an evacuee for the
#CZULightningFire
, a free hotel accommodation may be available to you with proof of residency. Please check the Santa Cruz County Fire Resources website to obtain an application and the list of official shelters.
PLEASE AVOID TRAVEL IN SAN LORENZO VALLEY UNLESS YOU ARE EVACUATING. BOULDER CREEK AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES INCLUDING BROOKDALE SHOULD EVACUATE NOW.
While we did exceed debris fellow thresholds for rain, we do not have reports of debris flows. Crews are in the fields assessing for safety. Trees did come down overnight, impacting roads. Please allow extra time for travel. .
Due to ongoing significant and potentially life-threatening storm activity that has caused in excess of $10 million in damages with more likely to come, the County of Santa Cruz has declared a local disaster.
Official Santa Cruz County ballot drop boxes look like this, and you may safely leave your ballot here. For a full list of ballot drop box locations, go to . VOTE!!
UPDATE: Evacuate the vicinity of Davenport south to the city limits. This includes Davenport, Davenport Landing, Coast Road etc. LEAVE NOW.
#CZUAugustLightningComplex
Early this morning, crews opened up one lane of Main Street to local traffic, restoring access to 450 homes. Thank you to the crews who worked more than 24 hours straight to make this temporary repair happen.
Thank you to President Biden, Governor Newsom, FEMA, CalOES and the rest of our state and federal partners who are going above and beyond the call of duty in providing sssistance to the entire Santa Cruz County community as we recover from these storms.
SHELTER STATUS UPDATE: We currently have 1600 shelter spots with more coming today. Lakeview Middle School, 2350 E Lake Ave in Watsonville, is OPEN with capacity for 200.
Evacuations are underway for low-lying areas in Soquel Village, including Soquel Wharf Road. Deputies are going door to door to notify impacted properties.
Scotts Valley and surrounding areas including Pasatiempo, Paradise Park, Cave Gulch may return home. EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED FOR THESE AREAS.
EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY IN SCOTTS VALLEY. LEAVE NOW.
To search for loved ones and report yourself as safe and well, go to .
DO NOT RETURN TO EVACUATED ZONES.
With the exception of UCSC, residents of the city of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley residents east of Highway 17 are not under evacuation advisories or warnings. We will update you if the situation changes.
#CZUAugustLightningComplex
We are grateful for your help as well as the assistance of other mutual aid responders, not to mention all the volunteers working on behalf of evacuees.
#CZULightningComplex
🙏💕
The night shift
#MilpitasPD
team deployed in Santa Cruz County as part of the Santa Clara County mutual aid contingent. We are thankful for all the firefighters and first responders currently working to keep everyone safe!
#MilpitasStrong
#TogetherWeAreBetter
AIR OPERATIONS: We have several helicopters making water drops over the
#CZULightningComplex
and eyes above them to make sure the pilots and crew are safe!
Lakeview Middle School, 2350 E Lake Ave., Watsonville, is open for shelter with outdoor camping and limited indoor capacity. Thank you to
@WatsonvilleCity
for providing mutual aid in a time of great community need!
In addition to the County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, an evacuation facility has been opened at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz.
Need a vaccine? Drive-through Pfizer shots available TODAY until 3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds -- no cost and no appointment necessary. Limited single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines also available. Bring a friend!
Great news! Santa Cruz County meets criteria for🟧orange🟧tier status, but must wait one week before moving. We are on track to expand seating capacity, open bowling alleys/indoor pools/outdoor bars, and offer outdoor concerts with modifications on 3/31.
Thank you
@POTUS
and
@CAgovernor
for approving a major disaster declaration for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties! Residents with damage from Feb. 21 and later are eligible for individual assistance. Visit for more.
Due to enormous waves and high tides, the coast is extraordinarily dangerous today. Please avoid.
There has been significant damage to piers in Capitola and Aptos, which will remain closed until further notice.
Due to lower COVID-19 transmission rates, Santa Cruz County will move into the Red Tier under the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy beginning Wednesday, March 10.
Those impacted by the
#CZULightningComplex
fires may be eligible for benefits assistance. Call the Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits toll-free hotline at 1-888-421-8080. Eligibility restrictions may apply.
Thanks to
@Cal_OES
for loaning us a Sno-Cat so
@CALFIRECZU
and other agencies could verify that critical public safety communications are functioning properly during the winter storms. Couldn’t have climbed the mountain without it!
Marin County‘s Urban Search and Rescue Team (Regional Task Force 1) deploying to Santa Cruz for pre-position request due to predicted storm debris flow.
President Biden has authorized a major disaster declaration for Santa Cruz County, providing assistance to local governments, nonprofits, families and individuals. See below or start here for assistance:
English:
Spanish:
COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer) are available at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds until 1 p.m. today. No appointment necessary! First come, first-serve. 100 doses available. Please arrive by 1 p.m., thank you.
Freezers are designed to stay cold if they lose power. With a possible Public Safety Power Shutoff on Wednesday, here’s a tip: freeze a cup of water tonight. Put a quarter on top. If the quarter is still on top when power comes back, your food is fine.
We regret to announce our 11th and 12th deaths due to COVID-19, a white woman in her early 90s, and a black male in his early 70s. Our condolences go out to their families and friends.
The
#CZUAugustLightningComplex
fires are 25,000 acres with multiple damaged structures and no containment, with heavy smoke and unfavorable weather. Residents in upper San Lorenzo Valley should evacuate, while everyone west of Highway 17 should prepare for possible evacuation.
An evacuation center has been established at Corralitos Community Church, 26 Browns Valley Rd. If evacuees need assistance with evacuation or other issues, including requesting animal evac, please call 831-454-2181.
For those wanting to help with the current crisis we are asking to direct that help in the form of donations to the Santa Cruz Community Foundation
#CZULightningFire
Santa Cruz County beaches closed through Labor Day weekend. Open 4-8 pm Saturday and Sunday. Crossing allowed to access water. Wear a mask.
#StaySafeStayHealthy