‘Do people have to die?’ Why these Californians fear catastrophic floods

Amid record snowmelt, residents wonder what it will take for officials to address problematic infrastructure in San Joaquin Valley towns, writes Brianna Sacks

A girl stands on the bank of a stream in Cutler, California, that overflowed during relentless rain (Washington Post/Melina Mara)

Jayden Martinez walks across the cracked mud of the canal that flooded his family’s home last month, his Pokemon-themed Crocs crunching on pieces of concrete and rocks. Standing on the bank, the nine-year-old looks at the channel, which is partially clogged with rubbish, and recounts how the surging water broke through, turning his street into a river and leaving his family and neighbours with 10 minutes to grab what they could and get out.

Jayden, his mother Juanita Martinez, and dozens of other residents in this central California farming town are trying to rebound from a flood brought on by relentless rains, a shock after enduring years of extreme drought. Now, as wet mattresses and furniture still dry out in front yards, some residents who live along the canal, including the Martinez family, have no idea that immense amounts of water might disrupt their lives again.

In the coming weeks and months, Cutler, located about three hours north of Los Angeles in Tulare County, and other towns in the San Joaquin Valley are facing the prospect of catastrophic flooding from what could be the largest quantity of snowmelt in state history – and much of the area’s flood infrastructure is in dire need of repair, according to residents.