Orcutt family suffers total loss from the storm and Union Valley sinkhole
Orcutt, Calif. – We got a closer look at the damage in Orcutt, where a neighborhood was heavily impacted by flooding and a sinkhole that opened up on Union Valley Parkway Monday.
Alex Rosario and Craig Cullen from Orcutt are one of the families whose home was destroyed after a sinkhole flooded their property.
“The water is rushing through. We have my son and his life vest first. We have my dog and I have a bag. So each firemen got something I like asked them to take Luke because I didn't want, if anything happened, I didn't want him to go," said Alex Rosario.
Alex and her seven-year-old son were home, while her husband was stuck in Ventura County because of storm-related highway closures.
Alex's mother said it's upsetting, especially for her grandson.
“My grandson is just he just kind of keeps crying. And from all that, his mom out of his sight. And it's just it's kind of scary when you have everything, and then seconds later, you have nothing," said Jennifer Rosario.
Flood water inundated the family's home and cars.
“But the way it was rushing in and how fast that water and that mudslide was happening. I didn't realize that my house would be the focal point, so I knew there would be damage. When we came back, I was like, nothing salvageable," said Alex.
Seven homes were severely damaged in the storm. Other neighbors impacted by the sinkhole flooding are also in need of shelter.
“I know a lot of these people are their insurance is denying helping any of them as a family off the street that has nothing. She's a single mom. Nobody's helping her," said Jennifer.
Now Alex is doing her part to help other families find rentals, clothing, food, and essentials.
“The seven houses have each other. So I'm not so much focused on my home. I have my family. And that's all that really we can do right now," said Alex.
Locals have created a Go Fund Me link for anyone who would like to donate and help these families.
