Acampo mobile home park evacuated by floodwaters deemed safe, residents allowed to return
ACAMPO - The evacuation order at the Arbor Mobile Home Park in Acampo has been lifted, more than a week after floodwaters first forced evacuations of hundreds living there.
Electricity has been restored and inspections complete, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office says. A 72-hour boil water notice will be in place as lab results testing the drinking water are pending.
County and state community development agencies have checked all residences at the park and determined the homes are safe to live in. Neighbors are now allowed to return. While no issues were found, they are encouraged to check their homes for damage to things like wiring, ducting, and pipes.
"We're trying to get our life back together. We're just happy we are home," Kellie Ruyle told CBS13 as she got home Monday.
Around 30 evacuees from the mobile home park and a dozen pets were staying at a Red Cross evacuation center at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds for over a week, waiting for the all-clear to go home.
Others, like Richard Chavoya, stayed with family and friends for the week.
"I'm ready to take a nice shower, sleep in my own bed, my own pillow. That'll be very nice. I'm looking forward to that," said Chavoya.
He's one of several neighbors who gave CBS13 an up-close look at the damage left behind by several feet of water.
"All the water was so strong, I guess the pressure, it just blew out the front," Chavoya said, showing us his siding and skirting missing alongside his mobile home, with insulation peeking through.
Home after home it was a similar picture with foundations left exposed.
"It literally got right up to here, the water," said Lisa Andersen, showing CBS13 her deck outside her home. "So we got lucky. Kind of."
But even with the all-clear to come home, Andersen and other neighbors are asking: is my home safe?
"We heard that they were coming around to survey all the property, but no one ever spoke to us," said Andersen.
CBS13 got answers from San Joaquin County officials, who told us multiple state and local agencies checked for gas leaks, electrical shorts and major foundation damage on homes - and found none.
"I'm comfortable enough, yeah. Where I can sleep tonight and not worry about that too much? Knock on wood," said Chavoya.
But the damage, though not life-threatening, is still life-changing. Several neighbors are reporting tens of thousands of dollars in losses.
"We have no flood insurance. So I'm praying FEMA is going to help us out," said Andersen.
Some relief for neighbors, the management company Newport Pacific says it is not charging any rent next month. They also distributed flyers with instructions on how to apply for federal help from FEMA.
