Following a series of powerful late-summer storms that drenched Imperial County with record rainfall and high winds, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., toured the hardest-hit communities alongside representatives from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. The visit highlighted widespread damage to local infrastructure, agriculture, and essential utilities, and laid the groundwork for securing federal assistance to accelerate recovery.

Extensive Damage Across the Valley

The storms overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded roadways, and caused power interruptions across the Imperial Valley. Preliminary County assessments show that several rural roads remain partially closed because of washouts and debris, with key farm-to-market routes requiring emergency repairs. Standing water and strong winds damaged thousands of acres of crops, threatening the region’s two-billion-dollar agriculture industry. IID reported downed poles and stressed transmission lines, with crews working around the clock to maintain power and water delivery. Homes and businesses across unincorporated areas experienced significant flooding, prompting temporary shelter operations and ongoing debris removal.

Broader Community Challenges

While storm recovery remains a priority, County leaders also recognized the broader hardships facing residents, including the recent closure of Spreckels, a generational employment hub and critical agricultural spoke in the Valley. Over the past several months Imperial County has engaged in extensive conversations, roundtables, and even travel to Washington, D.C., to explore solutions for the Spreckels workforce and to safeguard the region’s agricultural economy. A dedicated press release with additional details will follow, but today’s tour underscored the need to address these overlapping challenges with the same spirit of collaboration.

Commitment to Federal Resources

During the tour, Congressman Ruiz emphasized the need for a swift federal response to help Imperial County recover and fortify its infrastructure against future storms. “Today I toured the communities hardest hit by Tropical Storm Mario. The disaster was overwhelming for people and local infrastructure including flooded roadways, downed power poles and widespread outages impacting thousands of residents. The people in southern Imperial Valley showed incredible resilience in the face of high winds, hail, and heavy rain. I want to thank the emergency crews and public workers who mobilized immediately to restore power, clear debris, and essential services like water and wastewater systems. I am in close coordination with local, state, and federal partners to advocate for all necessary disaster resources that Imperial County needs to build back better. I care very much for the people affected. My office is ready to help anyone with any difficulties through this recovery.  Call 760-424-8888 for any assistance.” - Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Hawk thanked the Congressman for prioritizing the region’s needs and highlighted the importance of close coordination with state and federal agencies.

“Imperial County has faced both the recent storms and the economic shock from the Spreckels closure, yet our community’s faith and resilience remain strong. I’m grateful to Congressman Ruiz for witnessing the damage firsthand and for his commitment to help us secure the federal support we need. With God’s guidance and the dedication of our local and federal partners, we will rebuild stronger and protect the families and agriculture that keep our Valley thriving.”

“IID staff responded immediately – boots on the ground, working tirelessly to restore power and ensure the safety of our communities. Their dedication exemplifies our commitment to the customers we serve” said IID Board Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “We are grateful to Congressman Ruiz for visiting Imperial County, seeing the damage firsthand, and pledging his support. Federal Assistance will be critical as we strengthen our power grid against future storms and continue serving the people who depend on IID every day.”

Next Steps

Imperial County staff, IID, and municipal partners are finalizing a comprehensive damage assessment to submit to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These reports will support applications for federal disaster declarations to unlock public assistance funding, secure infrastructure resilience grants to upgrade levees, drainage channels, and roadways, and tap agricultural relief programs to offset crop and equipment losses. Congressman Ruiz committed to championing these requests in Congress and to working with federal agencies to expedite resources.