Grand Avenue Homes Teeter on the Edge as Sespe Creek Swallows Land

The residents of Grand Avenue near Fillmore are living on a knife's edge after recent winter storms turned Sespe Creek into a destructive force. Cindy Jackson, a resident of 20 years, watched in horror as a large pepper tree simply dropped out of sight, followed quickly by the ground beneath it. The massive surge of water that raced by her home on December 26, 2025, has left her property so unstable that it was deemed unsafe for habitation.

The High Cost of Private Ownership

While the erosion is threatening several homes, the county government has stated that its hands are largely tied. Because this specific stretch of Sespe Creek is privately owned, Ventura County cannot legally spend public funds to repair the banks. Assistant Public Works Director Jeff Palmer explained that while the county can assist with the permit process, the financial burden of shoring up the land falls squarely on the homeowners.

For residents like Erika Morales, who only moved to the area in October, the news was a shock. Morales and her neighbors have started a petition seeking government resources, arguing that the creek should be better maintained to prevent such catastrophic land loss. Some residents believe that levees built on the east side of the creek have actually worsened the situation by funneling the water's power directly into the western banks where their homes sit.

Demographics and Regulatory Hurdles

The community of Fillmore, which is approximately 77 percent Hispanic or Latino, faces unique challenges in funding these multi-million dollar infrastructure repairs. Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long has proposed waiving emergency permit fees for residents trying to save their land, noting that state and federal regulations have made it increasingly difficult for individuals to protect their property.

As of January 20, 2026, the situation remains critical. Jackson and her son are currently living in a secondary structure on the property, further away from the water, while they wait for news on their permit applications. With the ground continuing to crumble bit by bit, the neighbors are racing against the clock before the next major rain event potentially pulls more homes into the rushing waters of the Sespe.