Capitola is another hoity-toity community comprised of many super-rich people who have no idea how to cope with a calamity, such as their piers washing away in these storms. It's a place that doesn't really suffer from overtourism because there is very little public parking. And what little parking does exist, costs a fortune to pay the fees. The people who live nearest the beach have in the past, enjoyed all of the benefits of having the ocean right outside their front door. I have some friends who spent millions buying one of them. Just buying it, doesn't make it last. There are constant repairs and weatherization needed to keep it from disintegrating. They deferred their maintenance. Now they're paying the price, with mud and sand infiltrating from these latest storms. They're trying to sell it. "AS IS". And taking a huge hit on their investment. Any repairs they pay for will be above any profit they willl make by selling it. I am guessing the mold hasn't set in yet, and the realtors better sell it quick before it does.

Why didn't Biden come to Palo Alto? Aren't we special enough? Or is it that the worst hit areas are the homeless areas and East Palo Alto? There was a mudslide on 280. We at least deserved to have Biden take a selfie next to it.

My Feelz, as a former 15 year resident of Santa Cruz County -- I raised my son there and he matriculated through Santa Cruz City Schools -- I can tell you that many Santa Cruz County residents are working class and low income, including many of the folks living in Capitola. While some wealthy residents of Silicon Valley have second beach homes there, the vast majority live there year-round, many just getting by. The devastating damage from the storms is affecting people of all income levels and the community very much appreciates the support of the American taxpayers and the compassion of their Valley neighbors as they recover.

Kudos to Magali Gauthier for the excellent photos!

The cost to tax payers to "see" the damage would have easily covered the repair costs of a sink hole on 92 and a huge bolder on a road. The news media already has presented the damage so why spend our money to view something you could view from one of several private rooms in D.C. ?

Let’s Go Brandon!

A "hover" of helicopters? We know what "hover" means, but should it be applied to a group of helicopters sitting on the ground? Maybe they are hovering, even on the ground?

Thanks, Petra Karenter, for that vulgar and childish comment in the face of a natural disaster.

<<Thanks, Petra Karenter>>

You’re welcome, vmshadle! We will recover from our flooding, slides, and power outages soon enough.

But our amazing president Biden has given us a legacy that will take a long time to recover from:
A) the debacle in Afghanistan leaving $86B in military resources behind
B) the erasure of our southern modern with 3 million people flooding in (so far)
C) the Mexican cartels running the southern border and bringing in vast quantities of fentanyl
D) high inflation caused by a reckless and fiscally irresponsible Congress
E) nationwide distrust of government agencies (FBI, DHS, CDC, CIA) because of their role in attempting to subdue alternative points of view around Covid and vaccines
F) feckless cabinet leaders inability to deal with supply chain issues leading to many shortages most notably and persistently baby formul
G) High energy prices
H) Attempting to forgive nearly $1 trillion in student loans (adding more & to the federal debt)

@Petra Nah, Biden is crushing it as President.

I have always found it adorable though that the right wing seems to think "Let's Go Brandon" is the crowning achievement of wit.

Let's see if he tries to use his supporters to attack the Capitol to subvert democracy. Or maybe he'll botch a pandemic response that will kill 1.5m+ Americans... anyone's guess!

Petra Karenter, you missed my point entirely. Taking juvenile potshots at the President who, unlike his disgraceful predecessor, is doing his job properly by flying out to assess damage and speak to victims, is disrespectful to all who are still suffering.

Unless you believe that lobbing paper towel rolls at hurricane survivors is good public policy, I suggest you take your diatribes to a more appropriate setting.

While you are at it, please check the logic of your arguments. For example, how is President Biden responsible for "D) high inflation caused by a reckless and fiscally irresponsible Congress?"

Did he elect the entire Congress, or did we? (Never mind that inflation has fallen significantly in recent months, in part owing to the diligence of his administration. But perhaps you and I differ in our belief in facts, vs. "alternative facts.")

I didn't notice when our President was appointed to carry out a "Crisis Tour" every time a disaster happens. It's very expensive and takes him away from his duties as Commander in Chief at the White House. Is the Presidency just becoming a token figure who appears after a storm?

@revdreileen, since you have spent considerable time in both Santa Cruz and Capitola, you must be keenly aware of the differences. It's like the difference between Palo Alto (Stanford Land) and East Palo Alto. I didn't intend to offend. The low income population always needs to exist somewhere nearby, to provide service to the tourist industry and those who live there who enjoy (and can afford) being catered to. There seems to be no shortage of people who would like to live a pampered lifestyle. I think all the luster has worn off of the service industry. If it ever existed.

Did I just read a complaint about the border?

People are not streaming over the border to get jobs at HP, or Google, or AT&T. And they are not here to "get on welfare". That myth needs to be blown to bits. They are coming here to earn a living, doing all of the jobs that many white Americans quit during the "Great Resignation". Which is a farce. People didn't quit working to join the poverty party. I know of at least 2 people who are still living large thanks to PPP loans that were forgiven, under a program that has NO oversight. Take THAT, student loan forgiveness bemoaners.

Income inequality has become a huge national problem in the US. And abroad. The fact that our President chose to visit people who are better off than the ECR dwellers or the many streets in Santa Clara County lined with RV's who are still dripping wet is some kind of testament. But maybe that's because he wasn't visiting Santa Clara County. He only used the airport in Mountain View. Then he proceeded to jump into a whirlybird headed straight for Santa Cruz County.