Power restoration process underway for affected spaces at Niland RV Park

NILAND, Calif. (KYMA) - Sections of the Lark Spa Mobile Home & RV Park are entering their eleventh consecutive day without electricity following a safety-related power shutdown.

The outage impacts only a portion of the property, affecting 27 of the park's residential spaces.

Park management and Imperial County officials have both released statements outlining the initial safety inspections, the emergency support provided to residents, and the ongoing construction timeline to restore power.

The localized disruption began on July 9, 2026, when the Imperial County Planning & Development Services Department inspected the 61-year-old, low-income senior community after receiving a complaint.

The county issued an Attention–Action Required Notice directing the operator to halt the unpermitted work, de-energize the affected line, and secure the necessary permits before making repairs.

County officials emphasized that they did not order a power disconnection for the entire park, only the specific lines flagged as unsafe.

Lark Spa Certified Park Manager Lorinda Grable stated that management complied with the safety order immediately and activated their county-approved Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The park opened its air-conditioned recreation hall as an approved cooling center and overnight shelter, offering cots, water, and refrigerated storage for medication and food.

Grable noted that the park faced administrative hurdles qualifying for expedited repair permits and certain outside aid because their local emergency shelter was already actively operating.

"I've been on everything," Grable said. "I called Red Cross, I called APS, I called everything you can imagine all the way from state all the way down, but I would get the same answer from everybody."

Management also addressed public statements regarding park conditions and financial requests. Grable clarified that pets were welcome in private air-conditioned rooms and were never forced away from owners.

She added that requests for hotel and fuel reimbursements exceeded the financial capabilities of the nonprofit park, which charges approximately $200 per month for lot rent.

"Lark Spa simply does not have the financial ability or legal obligation to provide those expenses during an emergency," Grable stated. "We work very hard to keep housing affordable while maintaining the park and complying with State and County requirements."

According to a press release, the Imperial County Executive Office was notified of the ongoing electricity loss on July 17. Multiple county departments mobilized that same afternoon to coordinate a response.

The Department of Social Services deployed staff to assess conditions and speak directly with residents. Representatives found that most impacted residents had temporarily relocated to hotels or stayed with relatives.

County agencies coordinated the following assistance:

• Delivered 20 cots to the property
• Assessed residents for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and alternative public benefits
• Activated prepared-meal assistance for eligible CalFresh recipients
• Initiated wellness follow-ups through Behavioral Health Services and Adult Protective Services

"Once the County Executive Office was notified that residents were without electricity, departments mobilized that same day to assess conditions and connect residents with available assistance," said Imperial County Executive Officer Kathleen Lang.

Grable expressed appreciation for the county's involvement, noting, "The county has been great the whole time. We have had a long-standing, for years and years, good standing with the county."

County officials stated that the park operator remains responsible for hiring a qualified contractor, pulling the required permits, and completing the necessary infrastructure repairs to bring the system into compliance.

Repair permits have been secured, and crews have broken ground on the site utilizing donated conduit materials.

"So this is what they're doing is hand digging for us so that we can get the conduit, which now has the temporary wire," Grable explained. "And all we're waiting on is for it to be hooked up so that we can get the power on for them."

An electrician is working to execute a temporary hookup under an approved safety plan. Management anticipates that power will be successfully restored to the affected spaces by late Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.