Team Rubicon assists to demolish flood-damaged structures

Volunteers with Team Rubicon, a national non-profit disaster-response organization made up of former U.S. military veterans, have been in the South Delta for months, helping residents and businesses deal with the effects of the devastating floods of 2019.

Now, the volunteers are helping tear down homes that are damaged beyond repair. Owners of the structures often don’t have the resources to have the work done, and left standing, the buildings would become safety hazards and eyesores, not to mention a burden to their owners.

Team Rubicon’s mission is to improve the quality of life in these hard-hit neighborhoods.

“I want them to restore their life, restore their livelihood, restore their sense of community in any way that we can do that,” Pat Gustofson, a heavy equipment safety instructor and Team Rubicon volunteer, told WJTV. “If it’s not this community, I guess it’s like paying it forward. It might be my community next time, so I think it’s important that we reach out.”

To find out more about Team Rubicon or to volunteer or donate, visit their website, or call 310-640-8787.