Volunteers help clean up the Felton Grove area.

FELTON, California. (KION-TV). Volunteers from Santa Cruz County came out Thursday to help clean up the Felton Grove area.

It was one of the hardest hit areas during winter storms.

Volunteers met at Covered Bridge Park on Thursday afternoon. The Felton Grove area is just one of several places where help is being provided.

A few weeks ago, the high level of the San Lorenzo River flooded part of Orengo’s backyard. but a team of volunteers came to help clean up the rubbish and trash.

“I believe that if I have the privilege of being safe in my own home, my duty is to help other people,” said Arian Ori. “If other people need my help, I know they will do the same for me. We hope that with the help of volunteer efforts we can alleviate this problem a little.”

Ori is one such volunteer. He and several others helped clear debris and debris from the once-flooded oregano backyard.

“I had free time and I thought I could use it to volunteer,” Ori said. “I received an email last night saying, Volunteers needed for flood relief in Felton. I thought I could volunteer in my spare time.”

Because volunteers help with the cleanup, Santa Cruz County said it’s getting a lot of help at both the state and local levels.

“State and federal assistance coming in line with the Federal Major Disaster Declaration has been a big help to the community,” said Jason Hoppin, Santa Cruz County Public Relations Manager. “They actually increased the federal share of Category A and B funding, which is for emergency cleanup and debris removal.”

Rehab centers have also been of great help. The county said more than 1,000,000 people have already signed up for disaster relief.

“There are a lot of FEMA people here, a lot of CAL OES people here,” Hoppin said. “A lot of government people here are involved in disaster recovery.

As the county works with other agencies, the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center also works with other groups on the Central Coast.

“The volunteer efforts of homeowners are really helping them get back on their feet,” said Christina Thurston of the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center.

Thurston said they are still looking for volunteers. The Santa Cruz Volunteer Center will return to Felton Grove on Friday, January 27th. They will also clean up Paradise Park on Saturday, January 28th.

The volunteer center also added that people who need help cleaning their homes can call 844-965-1386 until January 27. There, people can connect with volunteers who help with felled trees, drywall and flooring removal, roof tarps, and mildew mitigation.