Efforts still in place to restore internet, senior center
Healdsburg City Manager David Mickaelian took to Facebook Tuesday afternoon to update citizens on the city’s efforts to restore life as usual for the city sandwiched between two of the county’s largest fires in recent history.
While Healdsburg hasn’t been touched by fire, the city’s fire department is monitoring wind conditions and will update the public immediately should anything change. Individuals who have not signed up for county alerts can do so by texting their zip code to 888-777. Any alerts will come via text message.
Internet has been a large issue in Healdsburg, with Comcast, the city’s largest internet service provider, being out of commission since early Monday morning.
“I spoke with Comcast this morning [Tuesday],” Mickaelian wrote. “They are still trying to get a handle on the fire damage in Santa Rosa. All of their fiber-optic comes through Santa Rosa to Healdsburg. When I spoke to their representative, they were not sure when it would be up and running.”
Mickaelian added that a Windsor-based employee received notice from Comcast saying the town should have services restored by Wednesday at 7:30 a.m.
Despite numerous city employees losing homes, the city has managed to provide help and shelter to those in need.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am of our employees and this community and how they have come together to provide exceptional service to those impacted by the fires,” Mickaelian wrote.
Healdsburg established an evacuation center at the community center. Since Monday, community organizations and businesses, including Healdsburg Unified School District, Healdsburg Community Church, Sonoma County Juice, Downtown Bakery, Café Lucia and Catelli’s all stepped in to provide meals to evacuated individuals. It is open 24/7 and has cots, food, coffee and water for evacuees. As of Tuesday morning, 195 evacuees registered at the shelter and 60 individuals slept there Monday night. According to a Tuesday morning update on the city’s Facebook page, the shelter does not need any additional donations. Any changes in need will be posted as soon as possible on the Facebook page as well.
Roughly 100 volunteers donated time and effort to the shelter Monday and Tuesday, organizing help, cooking food and providing a shoulder to cry on.
“I want to thank all of you who came by the shelter yesterday,” Mickaelian wrote.
After visiting the Fountaingrove area on Monday, he’s seen firsthand the devastation of the fire.
“The damage is catastrophic,” Mickaelian wrote. “There are literally neighborhoods that have been completely burned out.”
Mickaelian wrote that city staff has been working nonstop to provide relief and help to those evacuated by the fire.
“Because of the stress, this catastrophic event has had on our community and our employees, my focus over the next few days will be to make sure they have the support and resources they need,” Mickealian wrote.
As of Tuesday afternoon, city hall was open and the senior center was working to reopen its doors. The Healdsburg Municipal Airport will remained closed for at least a week as it serves for a base for Cal Fire helicopters.
Updates to the city’s needs, resources and utilities will be made through the City of Healdsburg Facebook page.
