In the aftermath of the recent severe weather phenomenon known as the Pineapple Express, the County of Monterey Public Works, Facilities, and Parks, along with the management team at Laguna Seca Recreational Area, the home of the WeatherTech Raceway, announces its crucial role as the main staging area for Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) recovery operation in Monterey County. Additionally, the County of Monterey has offered PG&E the use of Toro Regional Park for the temporary storage of debris, with the aim of quickly restoring services to County residents and businesses.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, famous for its iconic motorsports events, will now shift its focus to become a central hub for the deployment of equipment from various locations across northern California. This strategic partnership aims to expedite the restoration of power, inspection of critical infrastructure, and, most importantly, the swift reconnection of over 30,000 customers currently without electricity in Monterey County.
John Narigi, President at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, expressed his dedication to the recovery effort.
“In times of crisis, our community must come together to support one another,” he said. “Laguna Seca Raceway is proud to play a crucial role in facilitating the arrival and deployment of essential equipment that will help restore power for our fellow residents. We stand united with the County of Monterey and PG&E to ensure a speedy recovery for our community.”
Randy Ishii, Director of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks for the County of Monterey, emphasized the collective commitment to the recovery process.
“The partnership between the County of Monterey and Laguna Seca Raceway demonstrates the strength of our community collaborations. Our joint dedication 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 have a significant impact on the region’s recovery.”
This collaborative initiative highlights the resilience and unity of the Monterey County community as it comes together to overcome the challenges presented by the recent severe weather event.