The deluge that dumped on Humboldt Co., particularly in the mountains and in the southern areas, destroyed parts of county roads and Highway 101 near Dean Creek. In addition, private driveways washed away and, in at least one case, a home is in danger of sliding off its foundation.

Diana Totten, well known for her search and rescue work, joined with Salmon Creek Fire Captain, Dan Gribi, to take Humboldt County Supervisor Clif Clendenen and Tom Mattson of the Hum. Co. Dept of Public works (County roads) on an aerial tour of the district in Gribi’s plane.  Totten hoped to gain assistance for not only county roads but for damage to private property.  Totten said,”We’re used to living in Southern Humboldt and having a tough time but it is nice to get our kids safely to schools and get to town and that isn’t happening now. People are being affected by new slides as well as historical. People are having to hike kids and groceries across moving slides. As a community, we don’t speak up a lot of time.  We’ve developed a independence here that is commendable but also there is time to get involved to bring resources here.  I’m trying to loosen that up and get some help.  Roads blowing out and our county roads in bad shape is an example of just how silent we have become.”

” The flight yesterday was to show how many things are going on around here. … A lot of local contractors have equipment and so far they are sitting idle. Things are tough all over economically.  We understand that.  A little help would go a long ways especially if we were using more local workers.”

When Humboldt County Supervisor Clif Clendenen spoke on KMUD yesterday and to the Times Standard, he asked the community to take photos and keep receipts for fixing any damage accrued as the result of the March storms even if these occurred on private property. He was impressed with the damage and saw some of the massive slides here and was particularly impressed with the largest one (1/4 mile across) near Benbow which took out a small road.  Totten explained that 10 families live beyond that road and must hike their children across the slide to vehicles they keep parked nearby.

According the the Times Standard, Clif Clendenen said “”It’s doubtful, frankly, we’ll be able to leverage any funds…But with our emergency declaration (Wednesday) and trying to document every bit of damage, we’ll get as far as we can in terms of possible state and federal reimbursement.” SoHum Awareness has a map going up to pinpoint the slides. Mikal Jakubal, film maker and volunteer firefighter, has created the map which can be viewed here in its beginning form.  Photos can be uploaded to the Facebook site. GPS coordinates are helpful (many phones provide this information) but just directions will help pinpoint the spot. You can also send them to me (mskymkemp@gmail.com).

Photos were taken Sunday, March 27th by Jeri Fergus in Salmon Creek on a private part of the road.