RETURNING TO WRECKAGE ALMOST 30 MOBILE HOMES RED-TAGGED AS RESIDENTS COME BACK.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

NEWHALL - As some displaced residents returned Friday to the Polynesian Mobile Home Park, many remained stunned at the devastation caused by floods, mud and debris that swallowed roads, front porches, living rooms and cars.

Almost 30 homes remained red-tagged, meaning that many residents would not be allowed to return to homes destroyed when storms from earlier in the week caused water from the nearby Newhall Creek to overflow throughout the 150-unit park. It was unknown Friday whether any of the red-tagged homes could be salvaged.

Many of the displaced residents had spent several nights at the temporary shelter set up by the American Red Cross at College of the Canyons. They were permitted into the park for the first time Wednesday under sheriff's escort to collect some belongings.

But some residents who returned on Friday to homes deemed safe said that while the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff's departments, the Red Cross, and area food banks and restaurants have been helpful to their immediate needs, they wondered about the future.

``For many of us, our lives have changed completely,'' said resident Jorge Rodriguez, who said his home was spared while others several spaces down from his were not. From where he stood at the foot of the main access road, plastic candy canes and strings of Christmas lights still clung to mangled front porches and small lawns.

Only a few residents have insurance, Rodriguez said.

``Many people have helped us, and people are grateful, but after that, then what?'' Rodriguez said. ``We will still remain the same way here. Who will help us? We need help.''

Rodriguez and several other residents said flooding throughout the park has remained a problem for years. Rodriguez said residents pay an average of $600 a month in rent.

A team from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, the agency that oversees codes and standards for mobile-home parks, met in Newhall on Tuesday with officials from Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County as well as park owners to determine who was responsible for repairing the access road into and out of the park.

After Monday's heavy rains, residents once again were stranded early in the morning as a torrent of mud and water jumped the drainage culvert, leaving mud on the access road, and ultimately, throughout the park.

The state determined that the owners, who have not returned repeated calls for comment, must repair the bridge into and out of the park.

Los Angeles County officials, meanwhile, said they have offered assistance, but that ultimately the park falls under the state's supervision.

``The county has been at the table and has offered help, but it falls under the city's jurisdiction, and the state is the lead agency,'' said Millie Jones, field deputy for county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

Meanwhile, some displaced residents who had stayed at the Red Cross shelter said Friday that they were told they could not stay there during the daytime.

Ray Ramirez, 19, said the mobile home he lived in with his family was destroyed. He had returned to the park to stay with friends.

``They red-tagged our house,'' he said. ``My mom went to live with family in Palmdale because she is sick. I work at night and sleep in the day, but I can't stay at the shelter in the day. My friend is letting me stay with him.''

Rodriguez said many in the park left their homes with few belongings.

``People here are poor,'' he said. ``People come back here with nothing left but their two hands to dig out.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Debris blocks an entrance to a red- tagged residence at the Polynesian Mobile Home Park in Newhall. It was unknown Friday whether the red-tagged homes could be saved.

(2 -- ran in SAC edition only) A construction vehicle drives past a red-tagged home as it moves dirt and mud at the 150-unit park, which was hit by flooding in the recent storms. ``For many of us, our lives have changed completely,'' said Jorge Rodriguez, a resident.

(3) Tabita Rodriguez, who was able to return home, says she's unsure what the future of the park will be.

David Crane/Staff Photographer