In the aftermath of the recent severe weather event, commonly referred to as the Pineapple Express, the County of Monterey Public Works, Facilities, and Parks, in conjunction with the management team at Laguna Seca Recreational Area home of the WeatherTech Raceway, announces its pivotal role as the primary staging area for Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) recovery effort in Monterey County. Additionally, the County of Monterey has offered PG&E the use of Toro Regional Park for debris staging in the interest of speedy restoration of services to County residents and businesses.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, renowned for its iconic motorsports’ events, will now shift gears to serve as a central hub for equipment deployment coming from various locations across northern California. This strategic collaboration aims to expedite the restoration of power, inspection of critical infrastructure, and, most significantly, the swift reconnection of over 30,000 customers currently without power in Monterey County.
John Narigi, President at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, expressed his commitment to the recovery effort.
“In times of crisis, our community must come together to support one another,” he said. “Laguna Seca Raceway is honored to play a crucial role in facilitating the arrival and deployment of vital equipment that will aid in the restoration of power for our fellow residents. We stand united with the County of Monterey and PG&E to ensure a swift recovery for our community.”
Randy Ishii, Director of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks for the County of Monterey, emphasized the collective dedication to the recovery process.
“The collaboration between the County of Monterey and Laguna Seca Raceway exemplifies the strength of our community partnerships. Our collective commitment to supporting PG&E in this recovery effort is unwavering,” said Ishii. “We understand the urgency of restoring power to the affected areas, and our combined efforts will make a significant impact on the region’s recovery.”
This joint initiative underscores the resilience and solidarity of the Monterey County community as it comes together to overcome the challenges posed by the recent severe weather event.