Months later, California farmworkers get $95 million in flood aid
On the night of Jan. 9, amid pelting rain, a levee along Miles Creek in Merced County failed, flooding half the small town of Planada, devastating the tightknit community that is home to many undocumented farmworkers. Thousands of people were displaced … few had flood insurance. … State money is welcome and necessary, he said, noting that on top of the damage to their homes, many farmworkers suffered loss of wages, as fields were flooded and agriculture disrupted by winter storms. Months ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state Department of Social Services would mobilize its Rapid Response Fund to support “undocumented workers and communities ineligible for FEMA individual assistance due to immigration status.” Now, help appears to be on the way.