20 Housed In Temporary Shelter After Flooding In Marysville

Flooding by the Yuba River in Marysville this week caused about 20 homeless people to take shelter with the American Red Cross. About half of them now have temporary housing as a result.

Kathy Massar is with the American Red Cross. She spoke Tuesday about the help they're providing.

"We had several agencies here yesterday providing resources for them. We had five residents check in at 7 a.m. and we had them placed in temporary housing by 12:30 p.m.," says Massar.

She also says about 20 homeless people have gone through the shelter at Yuba College and nine have received temporary housing.

Before the Yuba River flooded the area of Marysville known as the River Bottoms, some of the area's homeless packed up their belongings and left.

But some stayed and then had to be rescued by the Marysville or Yuba City fire departments.

Marysville and Yuba County have struggled for some time to effectively address their homeless problem.

The Yuba River is expected to crest again early Wednesday morning.

Kathy Massar with the American Red Cross talks with a homeless services provider as she attempts to help people displaced by the flooding of the Yuba River. Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio