Riverside County Announces Support and Services for North Shore Community During Power Outage
NORTH SHORE – Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is working with Riverside County agencies and the Imperial Irrigation District to provide emergency services and support to residents of the North Shore community who have been affected by a continuing power outage.
NORTH SHORE – Supervisor V. Manuel Perez is working with Riverside County agencies and the Imperial Irrigation District to provide emergency services and support to residents of the North Shore community who have been affected by a continuing power outage.
“I am very concerned about this situation and have been trying to get the Imperial Irrigation District to move quicker, resolve this matter and do what is necessary for their customers to have food and basic necessities,” said Supervisor Perez. “North Shore residents have not had electrical service for over 32 hours, with no estimate for when it will be restored. This is a disadvantaged community, and the pandemic has magnified residents’ financial hardship. Our office mobilized very quickly, and Riverside County is committed to providing emergency services and pursuing any kind of disaster relief and resources to alleviate the impact on the North Shore community. I want to thank the Galilee Center, FIND Food Bank, our county team and community members for their assistance in this response.”
Many in the community of North Shore and the eastern Coachella Valley communities have lost electrical service since Thursday morning. The power outage is currently affecting up to 1,300 Imperial Irrigation District accounts, which includes households, in North Shore. The cause of the outage was from strong winds early Thursday that toppled 14 power poles.
Supervisor Perez has engaged the Riverside County Emergency Management Department and has been notifying community members, coordinating with the Imperial Irrigation District to fill resource requests and setting up emergency services. This has included checking on vulnerable residents, conducting door-to-door outreach and currently working to establish a care and reception site in North Shore for residents to have a place to get information and resources.
Supervisor Perez has organized a food distribution tomorrow morning, Saturday, with FIND Food Bank to drop off water, non-perishable and perishable food items for North Shore residents. The food distribution starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, February 27, at the North Shore Community Park in North Shore, 99-480 Avenue 70. Supervisor Perez’s office will also give out face masks.
The Galilee Center in Mecca is extending its operating hours to assist residents in need of water, showers, laundry facilities and shelter. The Galilee Center is located in Mecca, 66-101 Hammond Rd., and can be reached at 760-396-9100. The Galilee Center is open until 8 p.m. tonight.
The Imperial Irrigation District distributed ice bags to residents this morning, and will return to the North Shore Community Park at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon and 8 a.m. Saturday morning to continue providing ice.
The Riverside County Emergency Management Department urges residents to be safe with food and throw out items that have spoiled. The department is distributing flyers on food safety:
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Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River, the 4th District is the largest geographical district in the county.
Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
