The Port Hueneme City Council ratified a local emergency declaration Wednesday to help residents recover from last week's historic storm that overwhelmed the city with rain.
The council rushed a meeting to prepare paperwork asking the federal government for FEMA assistance as neighbors pleaded for cleanup help.
One resident told KNX News' Nataly Tavidian that everyone in her neighborhood is in the streets all day cleaning up.
Her biggest fear, she says, is breathing in mold that could be building up while they wait for more government aid. "What's gonna happen when people start getting issues with their lungs with mold? Mold is building. We can't see it, we're ripping up walls."
The city manager said they've been aggressive in storm prep before, during, and after the storm, and the historic amount of rain in one hour overwhelmed the whole system.
Early on December 21, Port Hueneme had its heaviest downpour, getting nearly 3 inches of rain in 45 minutes.
Around 60 homes were evacuated in the Hueneme Bay neighborhood, with vehicles submerged in water on the flooded roads.
Officials said they're unaware of all the damage due to much of it not being reported but have provided lodging assistance for around a dozen families.
Anyone in Port Hueneme who needs help cutting drywall, moving furniture, or other physical activities can contact United Way. Information can be found on the city's Facebook and website.
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KCAL News contributed to this article
