Pres. Biden arrives to tour storm damage in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, California (KGO) — President Biden landed at Moffett Field just before noon Thursday and is set to tour the Bay Area, hit by recent storms, and see what additional federal assistance might be needed.

From Moffett Field, Biden was flown by helicopter to Watsonville Airport. From there, he will travel to the Capitol, Aptos, and then to other hard-hit areas.

Already, more than 500 FEMA and other federal personnel have been deployed to support response and recovery operations.

The president’s itinerary includes visits to the hardest-hit village of Capitola and Seacliff State Beach. Both are treasured Santa Cruz County locations hit by recent storms. Days of high surf, high winds and rain have changed the face of beloved beach towns.

“Generations of memories are linked here,” Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks executive Bonnie Hawley told ABC7 News of Seacliff State Beach. “And I know this is a very painful time for a lot of people, but there are memories in the future.”

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is the non-profit operating partner of California State Parks in the Santa Cruz area. The group is known for its community mobilization after major natural disasters and is now raising funds to support the state beach.

On Thursday, the President will be accompanied by Governor Newsom. Mr. Biden is in town to assess what additional federal support is needed. He plans to meet with business owners and residents of the Capitol. Then visit Seacliff State Beach with first responders, state and local authorities.

The president addressed the region on Tuesday during the Warriors’ visit to the White House.

“Our heart is with all the families, all the communities that are suffering, and all the brave and heroic rescuers,” President Biden said.

The President is expected to observe the destruction caused by the storm in other areas by helicopter en route to the coast.

In Santa Clara County, Darrell Ray, deputy director of the county’s emergency management, said help is on the way.

“The county makes cost estimates and validates those estimates with the state and federal governments,” he explained. “Then we start the project worksheets and that’s how we fix it.”

Ray said that just this week, the county pressed the Small Business Administration to provide small business loans to affected businesses.

During the parade of storms, parts of Gilroy suffered severe flooding on the freeway and adjacent farmland.

“We are working with the Department of Agriculture here in the county to identify and evaluate and then deliver resources to affected farmers in the Southern county,” Ray explained.

He said the county suffered about $27 million in storm damage, mostly to public infrastructure. The District publishes information about how homeowners, small businesses, and others can get the help they need.

Compared to the damage caused by the 2017 hurricane, Ray pointed to a significant improvement in coordination between jurisdictions. Acknowledgment to Valley Water and the City of San Jose for their flood preparedness and response efforts.

To access Santa Clara County resources, click here.

ABC7 News has reached out to Santa Cruz County officials who say they are working to finalize details of the president’s visit.

If you are on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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