California’s recent winter storms have taken a devastating toll on the state’s homeless population, claiming the lives of at least two people who were living on the streets. The storms, which have brought torrential rain and powerful winds, have displaced thousands of people and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands more. While the state and local governments have opened shelters to support those affected, the risks faced by the homeless population are especially high.
The two deaths occurred in Sacramento, where winds of over 60mph and heavy rain have caused widespread power outages and destroyed homes. One of the victims, Rebekah Rohde, 40, died when a falling tree crashed into her tent along the American River. The other, Steven Sorenson, 61, died when a tree fell on his tent near a light rail station.
The storms have had a particularly severe impact on the homeless population, with thousands of people forced to take shelter in temporary accommodations or remain outdoors. The city of Sacramento has set up warming centers and outreach workers have been dispatched to advise people to move to safer areas. However, advocates say that there is a shortage of shelter beds and that the city’s housing crisis is still far from being addressed.
According to Bob Erlenbusch, the executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, the storm has taken a devastating toll on the homeless population. “It’s horrifying, you’ve got 7,000 people or more trying to survive the rain and high winds. The little survival gear they have – it gets blown away pretty easily,” he said.
California’s Winter StormsThe city’s mayor, Darrell Steinberg, has acknowledged the tragedy and promised to do everything in his power to prevent further loss of life. “An unsheltered woman lost her life last night along the American River. That’s terrible. It’s tragic and we need to do everything we can to make sure there’s no further loss of life,” he said.
Despite the efforts of local governments and advocacy groups, the situation remains dire for those living on the streets. The number of homeless residents in Sacramento has risen by nearly 70% since 2019, with an estimated 9,278 people without a home. Many of these people are forced to sleep outdoors, often in tents along levees or in vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions.
The extreme weather has also led to a rise in weather-related deaths among the homeless population. Eight people froze to death in Sacramento last year, and advocates fear that the trend will continue unless something is done to address the root causes of homelessness.
As the storm continues to affect the state, advocates are scrambling to provide crucial supplies such as blankets, coats, and sleeping bags to those in need. However, the task is made more difficult by the lack of shelter space and resources available.