Planada residents still struggling two years after flood

PLANADA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Liza Espinoza is present facing a 2nd setback aft her location was damaged by the devastating Planada floods successful January 2023.

"I felt similar determination was cipher astir to assistance us. There was cipher present to say, 'Are you okay?' We virtually had to emblem radical down," said Espinoza.

These photos amusement however she tried to support her spot astatine the time, but it wasn't enough.

Water remained astir the location for astir a week.

Now, Espinoza said the mold infestation near down is truthful bad, it's impacting her health.

"My look started getting really, like, a rash each over. I person a rash connected my arms, a rash connected my knees due to the fact that I was connected my hands, connected my knees, scrubbing the floors," said Espinoza.

About a twelvemonth ago, the Merced County Board of Supervisors approved the usage of $20 cardinal successful authorities backing to assistance residents similar Espinoza.

But she says she's lone received astir 9 1000 dollars. And she's inactive waiting for her location to beryllium repaired.

Espinoza is present pursuing ineligible action.

"These radical are inactive waiting and lasting by for compensation. You know, they're dedicated members of society, and they've been wounded by nary responsibility of their own."

Shant Karnikian is representing Espinoza and hundreds of others impacted by the 2023 flood.

He said the flood was preventable, and argues Merced County and respective different agencies are not taking responsibility.

"Our clients successful this assemblage weren't astatine fault. Somebody present wrong the authorities did thing wrong, they did thing improper, and they dropped the ball, that's the bottommost line," Karnikian.

Action News reached retired to Merced County officials. They declined our petition for an interrogation but sent implicit a connection that says successful part, "More than fractional of the backing has been expended and a fig of location repairs and rehabilitation projects are underway, highlighting the county's committedness to the residents of Planada contempt strict programme parameters,".

County leaders said they volition big a assemblage municipality hallway for residents to inquire questions and get updates connected the $20 cardinal granted by the state.

The gathering volition hap present astatine Cesar Chavez Middle School connected June 18th astatine 5 p.m.

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