Storm clouds over Mariposa County
Sierra Sun Times file photo
January 17, 2023 - The state of California is committed to maximizing state and federal aid to support the communities and individuals who have been adversely impacted by the winter storms. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) understands that “all disasters are local” and that because the atmospheric river affected different parts of our state differently, not all areas may be eligible (or need) the same level support or programs to rebuild and recover.
Now that a major disaster has been declared by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., eligibility for federal programs will be based on the unique damage and extent of impacts incurred locally. Below is a broad overview of the federal declaration process and what next steps will be to support communities throughout California.
FEDERAL MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION
On January 12, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration. President Biden rapidly approved the Major Disaster Declaration on January 14, 2023.
The President can declare a Major Disaster Declaration for any natural event that the President believes has caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond. A Major Disaster Declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure.
Now that a Major Disaster has been declared by President Biden, eligibility for federal programs will be based on the unique damage and extent of impacts incurred locally. Below is a broad overview of the federal declaration process and what next steps will be to support communities throughout California.
Current Assistance Available for this Federal Major Disaster Declaration
| Individual Assistance | Public Assistance | Hazard Mitigation Assistance | |
| Counties Designated | Merced,
Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties |
Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties | All 58 counties |
| What it means | Assistance to individuals and households to repair or replace damaged property. Housing assistance available only for primary residence. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) may include transportation, childcare and medical and dental expenses. FEMA works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans to businesses (including private non-profit organizations), homeowners, and renters with physical damage. | Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and debris removal. | Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. |
Where to go for help
Residents and business owners in Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz counties who sustained losses in the designated areas can apply for disaster assistance:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Calling 800-621-3362
- By using the FEMA smart phone application
- If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Since the onset of the storms, California has been working closely with federal partners to provide support to impacted communities.
On January 8, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration: Emergency Protective Measures (Category B) limited to Direct Federal Assistance. The Emergency Declaration was rapidly approved by President Biden on January 9.
An Emergency Declaration can be declared for any occasion or instance when the President determines federal assistance is needed, supplementing State and local efforts in providing emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
So far, 41 counties have been added to the Presidential Emergency Declaration, including:
Alameda, Contra Costa, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba.
Assistance Available for this Presidential Emergency Declaration
| Public Assistance Category B – Direct Federal Assistance | |
| Counties included | 41 counties |
| What it means | The State may request that certain emergency work be performed directly by a Federal Agency when the impact of a disaster is so severe that neither the State nor local government can adequately respond, either by direct performance or by contract, the State may request that certain emergency work be performed directly by a Federal Agency. |
Source: Cal OES
