When The Storms Hit captures the extraordinary efforts of Kevin Painchaud, the sole photojournalist at Lookout Santa Cruz, as he documents a relentless wave of atmospheric rivers that devastated California’s Central Coast. But this story isn’t just about weather—it’s about what happens when the storms of change hit local journalism itself. With shrinking newsrooms and vanishing budgets, Kevin and his small team step into the void, bearing witness when no one else can. What begins as urgent storm coverage becomes a Pulitzer Prize–winning act of community service—and a powerful reminder of what’s lost when local news disappears.
Filmed in: Santa Cruz County, California
Director: Sean Peoples
Producers: Sean Peoples, Michael T. Miller, Kevin Painchaud
Release: 2025
Region: United States
Length: 09:35