SAN GABRIEL – Dec. 5, 2011 -- Santa Claus will still make it to San Gabriel despite a weariness that follows more than 4-days without electricity and nearly $1.6 million damage from last week’s hurricane force windstorm that struck the city and many communities in the West San Gabriel Valley.

Santa Claus will be the guest of honor at a party scheduled on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at San Gabriel City Plaza Park at 428 S. Mission Drive. The party will go on even though the traditional holiday tree in the middle of Plaza Park toppled over during the windstorm.

The event is open to the public and entertainment will be provided by the Jefferson Middle School 6th Grade Chorus and advanced orchestra and the Mission Elementary School chorus.

Mayor David Gutierrez will turn on the holiday lights at 7 p.m. and Santa will then arrive on a city fire truck.  Residents and friends of San Gabriel have been invited to come and greet Santa and sip coffee and cocoa with Mexican pan dulce.

On Sunday, December 5, 2011 the city of San Gabriel also issued the following preliminary damage reports.
DAMAGES
•    Residential Assets
o    200 Structural damage including roof and fence
o    30 Vehicles
•    Business Assets
o    100 Businesses (awnings, signs, roofs)
•    Government Assets
o    1 Building
o    400 sq. ft. of sidewalk/roadway pavement
o    40 Signs
o    Undetermined quantity of streetlights, lamps and shade
o    200-300 Trees
o    2 Vehicles
The estimated total damages are figured to be $1,665,000

RECOVERY
•    50 Tons of debris removal/disposal
•    130 Personnel for Emergency Protective Measure
•    Roads and bridge system: Non-Federal – N/A
•     Water Control Facility – N/A
•    Public Buildings and Equipment
o    10 buildings
o    80 Equipment including vehicles
•    Public Utilities: Water, Power – N/A
•    Parks and Recreation
o    5 Park trees
o    2 Vehicles