In January 2023, California faced extensive rainfall that resulted in swollen reservoirs and waterways, leading to severe flooding across the state. The aftermath included loss of life, with 21 fatalities reported, and enormous economic damages estimated to be around $5 billion. As the state begins to recover, individuals like Alexis Ramirez are actively involved in the cleanup efforts, working in damaged parks and other affected areas. For Ramirez and numerous others, the disaster has unexpectedly created temporary employment opportunities, though these jobs come with their share of challenges, including difficult physical labor and working in remote locations under harsh conditions. Various government agencies have encountered difficulties in managing these cleanup jobs due to administrative complexities, adverse weather affecting relief efforts, and slow disbursement of grant funding.
Ramirez participates in a federal initiative known as the National Dislocated Worker Grants, which has allocated over $210 million to California since 2015 to support temporary jobs for those affected by disasters. This fund was established in response to various crises, including floods and wildfires, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a report indicated that the state utilized only about 80% of the available funding from these disaster relief grants, partly due to bureaucratic delays in receiving the funds. Michael Cross, executive director of the Northern Rural Training and Employment Consortium, noted that delays have sometimes necessitated halting or postponing relief activities linked to wildfires and floods.
Before the pandemic, Ramirez struggled to find stable employment, having fallen ill around that time while trying to support himself and his young daughter. Currently, he earns approximately $21 an hour, significantly higher than his previous income in agriculture. However, his temporary job, which began in September, is set to conclude shortly, and he is yet to secure further work.
California’s Central Valley was significantly impacted by flooding during the winter storms of 2023, with the town of Porterville experiencing considerable damage. In March of that year, a river overflowed its banks, inundating homes and local infrastructure. Although Tulare County secured funding two months later to hire temporary workers for cleanup, the timing proved problematic since flooding from melting snow had complicated the environment for work. The county opted instead to focus on debris removal in a park that had also experienced flooding.
By September 2023, conditions improved enough for workers to commence their efforts. Twenty-three temporary employees, including Ramirez, were hired for the job. Ramirez, who starts his workday at 6 a.m. four days a week, uses manual tools to clear debris, saying that while the hours are limited, it is a significant step toward rebuilding his life. However, limitations in the program prevent workers from using power tools, which can prolong the work process. The park is expected to reopen in January, and plans to hire additional workers for further park repairs are already underway, financed by a $1.5 million grant.
Similarly, Planada in Merced County, a predominantly agricultural town with many Latino residents, also experienced significant flooding in January 2023. Longtime resident Anastacio Rosales lamented the destruction of his home and cherished possessions in the aftermath of the downpour. Research from the University of California, Merced, revealed that a vast majority of residents encountered financial losses due to the disaster.
Despite the availability of federal funds for disaster-relief employment, Merced County decided against utilizing most of the assistance. Initially, the workforce agency intended to hire staff for reconstruction projects. However, by the time funds became accessible in May 2023—well after the flooding—the need for labor decreased as repairs were already underway. The grants also came with stipulations that limited the scope of work to public properties only, preventing temporary workers from addressing private property damages.
Rather than using the federal funds to restore parks and waterways, which had become adequately serviced by that time, the county redirected some resources to assist residents in navigating the state’s reimbursement schemes. In contrast, state funding of $20 million aimed at aiding Planada’s recovery remains largely untouched, hindered by bureaucratic requirements.
Rosales acknowledged that some community structures have been restored but remarked that cleanup of public lands is still pending. He expressed concerns that debris accumulating in the drainage systems could exacerbate flooding risks if another storm arrives.
In the wake of the floods in 2017 and the wildfires in 2018, California’s workforce agencies had successfully allocated over $80 million in federal funds for temporary positions in cleanup efforts, utilizing over 90% of the available resources. In later disasters, however, unclaimed federal funds have surpassed $20 million, highlighting a trend where money remains inaccessible or underutilized.
If the full amount is not employed, excess federal funds are redistributed to other regions in need, as stated by a representative from the U.S. Department of Labor. Reasons for unclaimed funds can vary, including quicker-than-expected recoveries or less severe local impacts. Notably, Serrato of Merced County remarked on the lack of urgency for disaster funds within their region, as they managed to spend only about 16% of the allocated workforce grant, enabling them to avoid returning the unspent balance.