Aftermath - 2023 Planada & Merced Floods & Recovery

"I am trying to be optimistic" says John McCory. a multiple generational Planada farmer as he talks about the effects of the floods have had on his pistachio orchard. The waterlogged roots of the trees are having a hard time recovering more than a year later resulting in a significant reduction in production. Another worry is the sick trees and the predicament they present - Do you leave the trees in hopes in regains its health & production in a season or two or do you replace the trees with a new young trees and wait years to grow & produce again.

Aftermath Project #3

Erica stands outside of her home with her two daughters after picking them up from school.

"It's been tough, especially since my husband works construction 5 days a week in the bay area," Erica explains.
"We had plans to move before the floods, but the repairs took all of our savings. We didn't have any flood insurance to help"

Like many other citizens, her home is still undergoing repairs more than a year after after the flood, a situation that is echoed again & again through Planada.

Heartland Creative Corps, United Way of Merced County