UPDATE, 10:42 a.m.:

A “Rio Dell Alert” just dropped in our email inbox: 

Boil Water Notice is now lifted. Water is safe to consume. Please clean faucet screens.

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Original post:

Press release from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services:

Emergency sheltering and supply distribution continues for those impacted by the Dec. 20 earthquake.

RED CROSS OVERNIGHT SHELTER

The Red Cross Overnight Shelter located at the Fortuna Firemen’s Pavilion, 9 Park Street, Fortuna, CA, is open to community members displaced from the earthquake. Services provided include temporary overnight sheltering, cots and blankets, hygiene kits, snacks and full meals for overnight guests, water, charging stations and small animal sheltering.

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).

RIO DELL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Water can be picked up at Monument Middle School, 95 Center Street, Rio Dell, CA. This distribution site will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 28. at which time the need for further operation will be assessed. Hot meals will be provided to community members impacted by the earthquake at this site from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28. 

The distribution of non-perishable food items has been moved to the Rio Dell Community Resource Center, located at 406 Wildwood Avenue, Rio Dell, CA. This distribution location will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Portable showers will be available on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the Rio Dell Fire Hall, 50 Center Street, Rio Dell, CA, from noon to 4 p.m.

CLEANUP ASSISTANCE

The American Red Cross has distributed 198 clean up kits to the impacted communities.

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 outside of Rio Dell with remaining excess earthquake-related debris should contact their local sanitation provider.

FOOD REPLACEMENT SERVICES

CalFresh recipients who have lost food due to the power outage or earthquake can request replacement benefits by filling out a CF 303 form on the state’s website here, by logging on to their account at Benefitscal.com, visiting the DHHS Social Services Emergency Benefit Replacement web page, or stopping by one of DHHS’s offices.
Additional food assistance programs are available through Food for People. To find a distribution location near you, visit: https://www.foodforpeople.org/need-food.

WATER SAFETY

The city of Rio Dell remains under a Boil Water Advisory. If you have water, boil it for at least one minute or use bottled water for drinking and food preparation until further notice. Water is safe for bathing and non-consumption activities. For more information about boiling water and its uses, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/dwa-comm-toolbox/before/tools/What-to-Do-During-a-Boil-Water-Advisory.docx

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Local businesses impacted by the earthquake are asked to complete a Business Recovery Survey created by the County’s Economic Development Department, GoHumCo. This survey will be used to track, monitor and quantify business losses in Humboldt County following the earthquake.Losses will be totaled and shared with federal and state agencies as we seek outside support for our community. The survey may be accessed here: humboldtgov.org/recoverySurvey
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, payitforwardhumboldt@gmail.com
  • 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.

For updated information regarding the Humboldt County earthquake response, please go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter.