The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, along with other federal, state, and local partners, have undertaken a community effort to support San Diego County from the Jan. 21-23 severe storm and flooding disaster. FEMA and the Small Business Administration have distributed more than $20 million in disaster recover assistance for survivors.
According to a FEMA April 3 press release, more than 2,427 households have been approved for FEMA grants, with $15.1 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs. Nearly $2.4 million has been approved for other essential disaster-related needs such as medical expenses and loss of personal possessions. FEMA’s door-to-door crew have visited 13,316 households to help survivors to apply for assistance in which more than 78% of homeowners who applied received some additional funds for mitigation efforts. The U.S. SBA has approved 65 loans for $1.7 million.
San Diego County residents have until April 19 to apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at (800) 621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or by downloading the FEMA app.
There are two Disaster Recovery Centers open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at the Spring Valley Library located at 836 Kempton Street in Spring Valley, and Mountain View Community Center located at 641 Boundary Street in San Diego.
Each DRC is accessible to people with disabilities. Assistive technology equipment is available to help disaster survivors interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is also available, and the centers have accessible parking, ramps and restrooms. If you need accommodation to communicate, please notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.
For the latest FEMA information on the Jan. 21-23, San Diego County severe storm and flooding, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4758.
