SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – President Biden landed in Mountain View Thursday afternoon as he started his visit to parts of the Bay Area impacted by extreme storm damage.
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During his time in California, Biden met with business owners and local residents in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties who were devastated in the recent storms.
KCBS Radio Political Analyst Marc Sandalow told KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer that this was a unique situation as Biden does not make the trip to California often.
"He's declared disaster areas in multiple California counties. There will be billions upon billions of dollars coming to California from the state and in part this is just to show the nation how bad it is because not just on California stations, but on TV and radio all across the country today will there be pictures and reports of the flooding," Sandalow said.
Biden touched down in Moffett Field in Mountain View at around 12 p.m. and was greeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senator Alex Padilla, NASA administrator David Burns and Bay Area Rep. Anna Eshoo. "I raised with him the fact that San Mateo and Santa Clara counties need to be added to the national disaster declaration," Eshoo said, speaking on her interaction with the President.
Biden and Newsom then helicoptered to Watsonville for an aerial view of flood damage and toured Capitola Pier in Santa Cruz County where the destruction was particularly evident.
The owners of Zelda's, Margaritaville, and My Thai Beach were among the Capitola locals who Biden visited with. According to KCBS Radio reporter Kris Ankarlo, the President walked into Zelda's and said "you're kidding me" in reaction to the damage.
Biden also spoke with first responders and state and local officials on Thursday to survey recovery efforts and assess what additional Federal support is needed.
The President made a public announcement in Aptos at 3 p.m. to reaffirm his commitment to supporting the people of California as they recover and rebuild.
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