The County will post daily updates and information here. Residents of Trona and other San Bernardino County communities impacted by the July 4 and 5 earthquakes can have questions answered by calling toll-free 1(877) 410-8829

Monday, August 26, 2019

The Small Business Administration will be closing its Trona Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29. The center is at 13207 Jones St. in Trona and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Thursday. For more information, visit https://www.sba.gov/offices/disaster/dfocw/resources/1647366

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Cal OES continues to provide information and resources to people affected by the July 4 and 5 earthquakes in Trona. Their blog item with information can be viewed at the following link: http://www.oesnews.com/where-to-go-for-california-earthquake-assistance/

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The USDA has confirmed Trona is an eligible rural area for the Home Repair Loan and Grant Program for those affected by the July 4 and 5 earthquakes. Click here for more information on the assistance available.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is making low-interest federal disaster loans available to businesses and residents affected by the July 4 and 5 earthquakes in Trona. SBA will be in Trona, 13207 Jones St. beginning 9 a.m. Friday and will remain open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 7, 2019. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 7, 2020. Click here for more detailed information. Click here for an SBA Fact Sheet.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

  • Because of low demand, starting Friday, dumpster service at the Trona Library and in Argus across from the Shell Station will be discontinued. Residents are encouraged to take their waste to the Trona Transfer Station located on 13177 Trona Dump Road. The transfer station will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Transfer station is now accepting clean construction and demolition materials such as concrete, brick, block and lumber. For questions please call the Solid Waste Management Division at (909) 386-8701.

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Southern California Edison has announced several measures intended to assist Trona-area quake victims. Representatives are available on a dedicated line in SCE’s contact center to help our impacted customers; 1-800-250-7339, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Among the things Edison can do are discontinue billing for homes that have been destroyed or are deemed uninhabitable, offer reasonable payment plans to help ease the financial impacts resulting from the disaster event, and suspend disconnection for non-payment when necessary. There are also discount plans and programs for customer reliant on electrically operated medical equipment. Click here or here for details.

 

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

  • The Recovery Center at 13207 Jones St. in Trona will transition to its pre-earthquake County service schedule starting at the end of the day Wednesday, July 31. Hours will be Wednesdays only from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services will include Transitional Assistance and, for a limited time, Behavioral Health and Land Use Services, which includes Building and Safety, Planning, and Code Enforcement. Other County services are available by phone and at www.sbcounty.gov. Please see details here. The Trona Branch Library will continue to serve as a cooling center during regular library hours.

Monday, July 29, 2019

  • The County has published a Frequently Asked Questions and Services Directory for San Bernardino County residents and businesses affected by the earthquakes. View or download here. It will be updated regularly.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

  • Construction debris bins are available starting Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Trona Transfer Station, 13177 Trona Dump Road. Click here for details and guidelines.
  • A Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held Saturday, August 10 and Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon at the San Bernardino County Fire Station, 83732 Trona Rd. in Trona. Click here for details.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

  • Effective Friday, the Local Assistance Center will be closed at Trona High School. A Recovery Center will open at 13207 Jones St. in Trona. Click here for more information.
  • The boil water notice has officially been lifted for the Trona area. It is no longer necessary to boil tap water or to consume bottled water.
  • The Trona Library (cooling center) will be resuming normal operating hours on Thursday, July 18.  Normal operating hours are: Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Friday: closed, Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday: closed
  • The new phone numbers for customers to contact the Searles Domestic Water Company are: 760-382-3776 760-382-8553. No past due fees for the water bills will be assessed this month due to the earthquakes in Trona and surrounding communities.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

  • The Trona Transfer Station will return to regular operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
    The dumpsters located at the Trona Library (82805 Mountain View, Trona, CA 93562) and Argus Area (across from Shell Station, 82275 Trona Road, Trona, CA 93562) will be remain available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until 7/19/19.
  • Trona residents in need of non-construction clean-up may call Team Rubicon (volunteer organization) to request assistance.
    Please call 310-640-8787 and follow the prompt or email r9info@teamrubiconusa.org. Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly provide relief to communities in need. For more information on Team Rubicon visit http://teamrubiconusa.org
  • Monday, July 15, 2019
  • An update on building inspections in Trona and surrounding San Bernardino County communities.
  • All initial inspections of earthquake damaged structures in Trona and nearby San Bernardino County communities have been completed by damage assessment teams led by the County Fire Marshal, including building inspectors from Land Use Services.  Structures that were not tagged as Yellow or Red, can be assumed to be Green-tagged, with no major damage noted. However, residents are encouraged to call Land Use Services at 760-995-8140 or 909-387-8311 to request a follow-up inspection if they have particular safety concerns, or to re-evaluate the tag status, considering repairs (such as a gas line or other utility repair).
  • Remember: A yellow tag means the occupant may enter briefly to retrieve essential items. A red tag means the building is not safe to enter.
  • If you have a yellow or red tag, call for an inspection appointment to discuss the damage assessment and next steps.
  • Veterans Town Hall
  • A Veterans Town Hall will be held Wednesday, July 17 at the Elks Lodge in Trona. For more information, click here.
  • Sunday, July 14, 2019
  • Trona Earthquakes Rattle, Displace Residents, Many Buildings Deemed Unsafe to Return
  • San Bernardino County Fire Damage Assessment Team, with the assistance of County Building & Safety, and Code Enforcement, and CalOES, has completed its damage assessment of the communities of Trona, Argus, Red Mountain, and Windy Acres following the devastating earthquakes that shook the area on July 4th and 5th.
  • All building inspections have been assessed and completed. A full report is expected to be released within the week and will be sent to state and federal officials for review. FEMA will ultimately determine if the earthquake damage meets the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act criteria/threshold for assistance, such as low interest loans.
  • If your property has sustained some damage but has not been tagged by County Fire, it is safe to return. Damage reports are used for FEMA and insurance purposes only. The following properties have been determined to be unsafe or unlivable:
  • Residential
  • Red-Tagged: 31
  • Yellow-Tagged: 51
  • Commercial
  • Red-Tagged: 8
  • Yellow-Tagged: 4
  • Underground Storage Fuel Tanks Red-Tagged: 4
  • Tag Definition
  • Red-Tagged – not habitable in current conditions, structure has been severely damaged to the degree that that it is too dangerous to inhabit.
  • Yellow-Tagged – moderately damaged to the degree that its habitability is limited, not suitable for overnight stays, limited occupancy.
  • If you feel your home has become unsafe, you can visit our Local Assistance Center (LAC) at Trona High School daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 877-410-8829 between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and safety officials will respond and inspect the structure.  Final day for inspections is Tuesday, July 16.
  • Friday, July 12, 2019
  • At 6:11 a.m., there was a swarm of aftershocks including 4.9 and 3.1 magnitude earthquakes registering 8 kilometers east northeast of Ridgecrest. Damage is still being evaluated.
  • Roundtrip service to the American Red Cross shelter in Ridgecrest has been expanded through Monday. At 9 a.m and 12:30 p.m, the shuttle will depart from the Ridgecrest Red Cross Shelter to Trona High School. At 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. the shuttle will leave Trona High School to the Ridgecrest Red Cross Shelter.
  • The Trona transfer station, 13177 Trona Dump Rd, Searles Valley, will be open to accept household waste from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The Transfer Station will also be open this Sunday, July 14, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Trona Library, 82805 Mountain View Street in Trona is also accepting household trash from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Starting Monday, July 15, household trash will be accepted at the Argus Fire Station, 82275 Trona Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 11, 2019
  • All water has been restored to Trona. Report water leaks to 760-372-2291. Boil water order still in effect until further notice. For information on what to do during a boil water order, click here.
  • Wednesday, July 10, 2019
  • At 1:09 p.m. a 4.2 magnitude earthquake was registered near Trona. No reports of additional damage or injuries reported at this time.
  • Residents of Trona and other San Bernardino County communities impacted by the July 4 and 5 earthquakes can have questions answered by calling toll-free 1(877) 410-8829
  • 2ND COOLING CENTER OPENS: First Baptist Church of Searles Valley, 84661 Trona Rd., 93562 is open to residents from 8a.m. to 7:30p.m.
  • ROAD CLOSURES: until further notice: Austin St. between Main St. and Jones St. (or Market St.)
    Searles St. between Main St. and Jones St. (or Market St.)
  • Tuesday, July 9, 2019:
  • On Wednesday, July 10, San Bernardino County will open a Local Assistance Center (LAC) at Trona High School located at 83600 Trona Rd. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The LAC is a one-stop location to access supportive services for residents affected by the earthquakes. Resources are provided free of charge. The following agencies are scheduled to provide resources and/or services at the LAC:
  • County Departments: Assessor/Recorder/Clerk, Aging and Adult Services, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Veterans Affairs, Land Use Services, Preschool Services, Transitional Assistance Department, Water and Sanitation,Workforce Development Department. Others include: Faith Based Organizations, Insurance agencies, Southern California Edison. The LAC will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. For up to date information, visit this Trona Earthquake Recovery page.
  • Residents of the Trona and Windy Acres areas and the news media are invited to attend a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at Trona High School, 83600 Trona Road, Trona. Elected officials and service experts from San Bernardino County, federal and state governments, and local utility providers will discuss the status of response and recovery efforts related to the July 4 and 5 earthquake swarm. Participants will include the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the County Fire Protection District, County Public Health, County Public Works, and other San Bernardino County agencies. In attendance will be State Senator Shannon Grove, County Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman, First District County Supervisor Robert Lovingood, San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon and State Assemblyman Jay Obernolte. The various speakers will address the status of recovery efforts specific to the San Bernardino County communities affected by the earthquakes and services to residents. Residents will have an opportunity to speak and ask questions publicly and privately following the meeting. Participants will also be available to the news media.
  • President Donald Trump declared an emergency for California to allow federal agencies to administer aid to those affected by the earthquakes. The declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide disaster relief in San Bernardino and Kern counties.
  • Monday, July 8, 2019:
  • Trona County Library will open as a COOLING CENTER from 10 am. to 6 p.m. Tuesday (tomorrow) to Thursday, July 18. A portable restroom will also be available outside the Library, 82805 Mountain View Street.
  • Portable showers will be available starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday (tomorrow) at Trona High School, 83600 Trona Road. Medical services will also be available at the high school starting Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Trona Post Office is closed until further notice. All residents are directed to go to the Ridgecrest Post Office to conduct all postal needs including picking up and dropping off mail – 101 E. Coso Ave, 93555. Main phone for the Postal Service is 1-800-275-8777.
  • All natural gas has been restored to the Trona area. For residents needing gas restoration, call 1-800-PGE-5000 (1-800-743-5000). People are advised to mention that they are calling for earthquake restoration services.
  • Shuttles are now available for Trona residents to the Kerr McGee Center in Ridgecrest where the American Red Cross has set up a shelter. A once-a-day shuttle will depart at 10 a.m. from Trona High School, 83600 Trona Rd. and return from the American Red Cross Shelter in Ridgecrest at noon. Water continues to be available at Trona High School.
  • Trona residents: To report damage or specific needs please contact the San Bernardino County Emergency Operations Center at 909-356-3998 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Mental health services continue to be provided through Friday at Trona High School, 83600 Trona Road.
  • Saturday, July 6, 2019:
  • Early Saturday morning, San Bernardino County signed a declaration of local emergency to assist the San Bernardino County communities affected by two days of earthquakes.
  • Under the coordination of the County Office of Emergency Services, County officials and departments have been working around the clock to assess the situation in Trona and provide vital services to residents.
  • There are numerous injuries and damaged residences in Trona. The County is working to determine the number of injured and damaged homes. County public works crews continue to assess and repair the road damage and per SCE, power has been restored.
  • Friday, July 5, 2019:
  • The State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water, the San Bernardino County Health Department, and the Searles Domestic Water Company are advising residents of Trona to only use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.
    The affected area includes: Westend, South Trona, Argus, and Trona Village.
  • A comfort and care shelter has been opened at the Kerr McGee Community Center, 100 W. California Ave. in Ridgecrest.

26 thoughts on “Trona Earthquake Recovery

  1. Has the Governor declared Trona as a disaster area like he did the Ridgecrest? Trona is closer and would need this done for the support they need.

    1. We have not received word that the Governor has declared an emergency in San Bernardino County. The County is closely monitoring the situation in the Trona area and working to meet the needs of the people there. If the County determines an emergency declaration would be helpful, the County will most certainly ask the Governor to make one.

      1. How about now when the town has no power, gas or water? The plants had to shut down and roads are closed? This is an emergency of the worst way!!! Did the Red Cross get there before this newest latest quake with water? CHP won’t let people leave now. 11:00 pm People are trapped without services. THAT IS A DISASTER, Sir!

        1. Janet, water is available at Trona High School. The County is working to provide resources and information to residents. Shelter is available at the Red Cross in Ridgecrest at the Kerr McGee Community Center, 100 W California Ave, Ridgecrest, CA . A daily shuttle from Trona High School leaves at 10 a.m. to the shelter and returns to Trona at noon. Water is available at Trona High School. If you have immediate needs or need more information, call the Emergency Operations Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and they can help you. The number is 909-356-3998.

  2. Navy being circumspect about whether nuclear materials were affected by 6.4 quake under their weapons testing facility in SBC. People should have started talking iodine yesterday if leak and Trona evacuated. Ridgecrest citizens all paid by government to keep silent about govt. mistakes, so I wouldn’t trust them or Kern County to investigate. Sheriff McMahon functionally illiterate in the Constitution and role of County Sheriff to protect & defend lives & rights of County citizens when abused or endangered by State or Federal governments or foreign powers, so no surprise John is asleep at the wheel yet again. Remember governments of USSR and Japan lied about Chernobyl & Fukushima radiation. I take 6.25 mg of Iodiral per day. WWG1WGA!

  3. I will repost my remarks on FB at Nancy Henning Weres, Twitter @anastunya17, and Parler @anastunya just in case any of my Truthful content is censored.

  4. There are unmet needs. Residents of Trona were not told about the water or ice at the fire station that was brought. We are in the dark.

    I had to call to find out info and was told by his staff that the financial resources were our problem but we wouldn’t b receiving any because there is no damage.

    1. The County is working to provide resources and information to residents. Shelter is available at the Red Cross in Ridgecrest at the Kerr McGee Community Center, 100 W California Ave, Ridgecrest, CA . A daily shuttle from Trona High School leaves at 10 a.m. to the shelter and returns to Trona at noon. Water is available at Trona High School. If you have immediate needs or need more information, call the Emergency Operations Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and they can help you. The number is 909-356-3998.

  5. We have been without power, water, and gas since 8:20pm on Friday.
    When’s the help going to come here to trona, ca.we are without help.

    1. The County is working to provide resources and information to residents. Shelter is available at the Red Cross in Ridgecrest at the Kerr McGee Community Center, 100 W California Ave, Ridgecrest, CA . A daily shuttle from Trona High School leaves at 10 a.m. to the shelter and returns to Trona at noon. Water is available at Trona High School. If you have immediate needs or need more information, call the Emergency Operations Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and they can help you. The number is 909-356-3998.

  6. why did it take the county so long to even get bottled water to us here in trona, Red cross did not show up in Trona till Sunday ? I guess you took care of everyone else first . We need porta podies on the street corners not in front of the high school was that so your people would have a place to go?

    1. Hi Dwain, the County responded immediately following the earthquakes with water and port o potties at the High School. We are currently evaluating alternative locations for more port o potties throughout Trona. Please call the emergency operations center if you need additional assistance at (909) 356-3998. Take care and call us if you need help.

    1. There are a variety of churches in Trona that are opening back up to provide these services and accept these donations. We are working on compiling a list that is appropriate for the public now. As soon as we have it ready to post we will put it here.

  7. Was not sure if I needed to request permission from San Bernadino County or just the Trona Fire House. I am inquiring if the Trona fire station available to set up tables for hot meals to be served on Saturday.
    I am working hot meals for residents in Trona for Saturday evening. I live in Las Vegas and I am gathering donation here this week for the meals. I find a localized placed to cook the food like one of the churches in Ridgecrest since most in Trona are not up and running yet. The Elks club can not be used at this time.
    Please let me know if this plan is workable so I can further plan and set up arrangements
    Thank you
    Marjorie

    1. There are a variety of churches in Trona that are opening back up to provide these services and accept these donations. We are working on compiling a list that is appropriate for the public now. As soon as we have it ready to post we will put it here.

  8. Why were so many residents without bottled water? We live in California and should ALWAYS be prepared for an earthquake and to be on our own for 3-5 days, AT LEAST. I hope people in other communities learn from the mistakes made by Trona residents.

    1. You are correct that everyone should be prepared with bottled water for major disasters. But Trona residents have been without water for a while and we are there to help them get the water that they need until the water is repaired. We are here to support one another.

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