The Monterey County farming community of Pajaro reopened to residents on Thursday, but the cleanup will take months, both inside and outside where dirt and sludge remain.
Omar Cortes’ house was one of dozens of homes that flooded when a levee broke earlier this month. He returned Thursday to find the house soaked.
“There’s a lot of mud on the ground and it’s still kind of wet,” he said.
He and his mom are staying at an aunt’s home while they recover. He’s keeping his head up but doesn’t know what the future will bring.
“Just not trying to think about it that much,” he said. “Just trying to