Media Release

HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
William F. Honsal, Sheriff
Media Release
Date:1/3/2023 Prepared by: S. Karges, (707) 268-2501
Subject: January 3, 2023 | Humboldt OES Resources Update
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services remains activated and
continues in coordination with state and local partners to provide recovery resources to
our community following two significant earthquakes affecting the county. In addition to
the earthquake response, the county’s Emergency Operations Center is also monitoring
and preparing for any potential impacts related to an upcoming winter storm system
forecasted to reach the county within the next day.
CURRENT SITUATION
On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, a 6.4M earthquake struck Humboldt County. Since this
earthquake, the county has experienced over 200 aftershocks, one of which being a
5.4M on New Year’s Day. Community members are advised to be prepared to drop,
cover, and hold on in the event of additional aftershocks. For earthquake safety tips,
visit: ready.gov/earthquakes.
Over 70 structures have been determined unsafe throughout the county due to
earthquake-related damages. Damage assessments are ongoing in communities that
experienced earthquake impacts. Building inspectors from the County of Humboldt, local
cities and fire departments, and the State of California have been deployed to assist the
city of Rio Dell and surrounding communities with damage assessment.
Residents are encouraged to report earthquake damages to the Humboldt County Office
of Emergency Services
at: https://humboldtgov.org/FormCenter/Office-of-Emergency-Services-23/Damag...
rt-20221220-Earthquake-216
Over the holiday weekend, a Local Assistance Center was opened and connected nearly
300 community members impacted by the earthquake with state and local assistance.
Those who were unable to visit this center and in need of additional assistance are
encouraged to review the following information booklet:
● Disaster Recovery and Assistance - English
● Asistencia y Servicios de Recuperación - Español por Desastre -Spanish
ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
RED CROSS OVERNIGHT SHELTER: The Red Cross Overnight Shelter remains in
operation at Monument Middle School, 95 Center Street, Rio Dell. Services provided to
overnight shelter guests impacted by the earthquake include temporary overnight
sheltering, cots and blankets, showers, hygiene kits, snacks and full meals, water and
charging stations.
Additionally, the Red Cross is available to connect community members impacted by the
earthquake with a variety of other services to aid in the recovery process. To learn more,
contact 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800- 733-2767).
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION: Water and nonperishable food items
continue to be distributed at the Rio Dell Community Resource Center, located at 406
Wildwood Ave, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m.
FOOD REPLACEMENT, MEDI-CAL, AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE:
A representative with the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services is
on site at the Rio Dell Community Resource Center to assist community members with
applying for services such as CalFresh replacement, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, the
Transportation Assistance Program, courtesy applications to other counties and referrals
to other community resources. This service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday.
Additional food assistance programs are available through Food for People. To find a
distribution near you, visit: foodforpeople.org/need-food.
CLEANUP ASSISTANCE:
Rio Dell residents may utilize the two dumpsters located outside of Rio Dell City Hall, at
675 Wildwood Avenue, to dispose of earthquake debris. Please do not dispose of
hazardous waste in these receptacles. Hazardous items not fit for disposal in these
receptacles include leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode
under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous
waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain
hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them. More
information regarding hazardous waste disposal can be found at:
https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw
Residents in Rio Dell who are having trouble getting in touch with their landlords
regarding earthquake related repairs to rented dwellings are encouraged to contact the
city of Rio Dell at 707-764-3532.
Residents outside of Rio Dell with remaining excess earthquake-related debris should
contact their local sanitation provider.
BUSINESS SUPPORT:
Local businesses impacted by the earthquake are asked to complete a Business
Recovery Survey, located online here. This survey was created by the County’s
Economic Development Department, GoHumCo, and is being utilized to track, monitor
and quantify business losses in Humboldt County following the earthquake. As of Jan. 3,
2023, businesses have reported a total of over $1.4 million in losses.
For more business support resources visit:
https://www.gohumco.com/379/Economic-Earthquake-Recovery-Response
DONATIONS
Financial donations to assist with the response can be made directly to the following:
● Rio Dell Fire Department: Venmo: @RioDellFire-Department, GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/3036e4ec, or mailed to 50 W Center St. Rio Dell, CA 95562
● Pay it Forward Humboldt: 707-616-9191, [email protected]
● American Red Cross: 1-800-435-7669, redcross.org
STAY INFORMED
The most important thing you can do while the community recovers is to keep informed.
● Sign up to receive Humboldt County Emergency Alerts at: humboldtgov.org/alerts
● Subscribe to OES news releases at: humboldtsheriff.org/subscribe
For updated information regarding the Humboldt County earthquake response, please go
to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter.
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Please find a copy of this Media Release as well as a Spanish translation, and a few more helpful handouts, in both English and Spanish, linked/attached below: