Aftermath - 2023 Planada & Merced Floods & Recovery

I am VERY proud to announce my public reception of my 14 month long documentary "Aftermath 2023 PLanada & Merced Floods & Recovery" is going to be held at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center - the MAC on June 28th.

I will be alongside many other artists that night also showing their works from a Heartland Creative Corps grant in partnership with the United Way of Merced County.

PLEASE come join me to not only support my work, but other local artists as well!

Aftermath #7
Locals take a break from the sun, Planada, CA.

Aftermath Project #5 -

Even more than a year later, some of the flood damaged homes still have interior moisture. Other homes in the area are in various stages of repair, with some homes closer to finishing than others.

Some lucky home owners were able to use insurance to cover repairs while others are using various FEMA & other government loans.

In the wake of repairs & rebuilding their homes, Planada residents are now having to navigate the confusing legal world of demands, payouts & lawsuits.

Residents are now receiving unnamed letters telling them to not participate in the payout efforts put on by Merced County and that any application they put in will be told to be disregarded by the same law firm that likely is involved in insurance payouts. Citizens are confused and not sure where to go for help & clarification.

Living in his small room, Raymond, 76, an elderly Parkinson’s patient is still dealing with the fallout of the flood of 2023, over a year later. ��His situation is a sad example of an at risk elderly person who has fallen through the cracks of any number of government programs that were put in place to assist with rebuilding. This sad case in particular, where FEMA money was awarded for rebuilding but the family member in charge took the money and never fixed the dwelling.

September, 2023. Planada.

Salon owner Deanna Nena Adame gives a tour of the ongoing rebuilding process and the still unrepaired damages.

The repair process has been a slow one due to lack of help from the government and unwillingness to agree overbearing terms of the disaster recovery loans, many of which required liens and lifelong commitments to expensive flood insurance policies. Other property owners feel the same, others have accepted the government financial assistance & the strings that come with it.

Deanna told me how the night of the flood she left the water was up past her ankles, how she gathered sandbags to place in front of her door to her salon, walking over each of the 20 bags from her car parked two blocks away.