State and County Officials visit the Orcutt sinkhole on Sunday
ORCUTT, Calif. -- Today Santa Barbara County and California state officials visited the community that was impacted by the Orcutt sinkhole on Union Valley Parkway.
Seven families had their homes, cars, and personal belongings flooded after a sinkhole erupted from overflowing sewage water.
Santa Barbara county’s 4th district supervisor Bob Nelson, 37th District Assemblyman Gregg Hart, and Senator Monique Limon of the 19th district spoke to locals who feel neglected in their tragedy.
“It's just really sad to me that as a community of government sources, in a way, they've all turned their backs, or at least until today, where we're seeing, you know, Bob Nelson out here driving the force to help," said Jessica Pete from Orcutt.
Locals say Supervisor Nelson has been the only county official who has helped since the incident occurred last Monday night.
“Yeah, I understand the neglect. And so it's something I've been fighting for is giving us additional resources up here. The Orcutt, Guadalupe, and Tempescou areas. And so it's really important that county resources are directed to those most impacted. And that's right here in our backyard," said Nelson.
Assemblyman Hart says they are working on an action plan for this community.
“Yeah, we're trying to work with some of the local nonprofits and community to help out financially in the immediate term. And then we're going to be working with the county government agencies to also provide as much assistance as is available to send to them," said Hart.
Locals say they’ve only had their neighbors to lean on.
“They haven't had anyone give them direction. And really, as a community of friends and family, that's what's come together. To help everyone out," said Pete.
Orcutt families say their claims have been denied by their insurance companies.
“Right now, there's a lot of uncertainty on whether insurance is going to cover this or whether you can be help from the state or federal government for the disaster. So we're working through the bureaucratic hurdles there, but right now we also have the community stepping up," said Nelson.
County officials said they're gathering more resources for these families through nonprofit organizations.
“Senator Lemon and I'll be working in Sacramento to try and address these issues from a statewide perspective, making sure that insurance companies are there to help folks when they need it… This kind of tragedy has happened all across the county. We're all coming together as neighbors to help each other as best we can," said Hart.
