Nothing was decided Monday, but officials and volunteer organizations are compiling ideas to help get Butte County, and its people, back on their feet. NSPR’s Marc Albert has more.
As state and federal relief agencies take on bigger roles in fire recovery efforts, local officials want to keep volunteer and civic groups engaged.
Debra Lucero, county supervisor-elect, described the Monday’s meeting as a brainstorming session, bringing together groups and governments looking for ways to move forward. She said fraternal organizations, including the Elks, Kiwanis, and Soroptimists jumped into action at the outset, better prepared because of 2017’s Oroville dam crisis.
“They housed people Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday until Red Cross and FEMA showed up.” Lucero said.
County spokeswoman Casey Hatcher said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking at a multitude of solutions, including surveying every hotel, motel and RV park between Sacramento and Redding. They’ve found few vacancies.
FEMA Spokesman Bradly Pierce said the agency wants to move evacuees into safe, secure and functional housing. Initially—that’s sanctioned shelters. Next, interim housing---motels, RV’s, trailers or modular structures. Federal and state teams are assessing accessibility, safety and utility availability at potential long term sites.
Lucero said nothing is being rejected.
“We’re basically putting everything out there. It’s like, what are the creative ideas? We have a creative community what are those ideas to house these people” she said.
A housing task force has been formed, including representatives from the town of Paradise, Butte County and the cities of Chico and Oroville.