Residents and businesses seek federal aid for damage
President Joe Biden declared an emergency for much of the greater Bay Area this week, putting federal agencies on standby to help with response efforts amid a deluge of severe winter storms battering the region.
Now, the waiting begins. Outside of extreme catastrophes, such as 2005's Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, direct federal financial aid for residents and businesses facing damage or displacement can only be unlocked after local, state and federal agencies complete an assessment of the wreckage. That process could take weeks, if not longer.
With the extent of the damage still unknown , though estimates suggest it has already surpassed $1 billion, it's far from clear how much money might be set aside and when it could be made available.
“It may take a while because we're going to have to send out teams to visit all of the homes damaged and all of the public infrastructure damaged in every California county if it comes to that,” said Robert Barker, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA.
At the state level, Gov. Gavin Newsom last week declared an emergency in response to the storms. But that move didn't come with any direct financial aid. For now, at least, it doesn't appear any state money has been made available directly to residents or businesses.
A total of 31 California counties are now covered under Biden's declaration, including Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Widespread flooding, mudslides and downed trees in those areas have wrecked homes and businesses and forced thousands to evacuate. Across the state, the storms have caused at least 15 deaths.
Before FEMA can open direct financial assistance, local governments must first gather information
to asses the extent of the damage. Those details are then sent to the state, which requests aid from the federal government.
“That's the process that happens 99% of the time,” Barker said. “More than likely, that's what's going to happen with these events.”
Federal officials then follow up with their own on-the-ground assessment. And if the money is approved, FEMA and the federal Small Business Administration work with residents and business owners to apply for aid — including home repair assistance (when insurance doesn't cover the damage), reimbursement for hotel rooms or temporary rental housing and lowinterest business loans.
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services did not respond to questions Tuesday about potential assistance. But that doesn't mean help isn't available.
The crowdfunding site Gofundme recently launched an online hub with verified fundraisers for those affected by the storms. That includes one fundraiser set up by San Mateo Mayor
Amourence Lee. As of Tuesday, it had raised over $45,000 for San Mateo residents and businesses.
“We cannot wait for FEMA or the State, we need to step up when we see our neighbors and our local businesses in need,” Lee wrote on the fundraiser page.
Another Gofundme effort for the family of a toddler killed by a fallen tree in Sonoma County had raised over $260,000.
The Internal Revenue Service, meanwhile, has extended the April 18 tax filing deadline to May 15 for anyone affected by the storm in counties covered by the federal emergency. And the California Department of Insurance is offering to help homeowners needing to file a damage claim with their insurers at 800-927-4357 or insurance.ca.gov.
Emergency storm shelters have opened in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Sonoma, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties for those needing immediate assistance. Sonoma County has also set up community support sites with charging stations, blankets, snacks and water.
The American Red Cross is operating many of the shelters and has sent out hundreds of workers to help people with urgent needs such as replacing prescription medication.
Jenny Arrieta, a spokesperson with the Bay Area chapter of the Red Cross, said the nonprofit will continue to need volunteers to assist with the storm response. She also encouraged people to make donations to disaster relief at redcross.org.
Another way to help is to donate blood through the Red Cross or other organizations, since donations tend to slow during severe weather.
“The need for blood never stops, and if anything during disasters it can go up when people get injured,” Arrieta said.
Shelters sites include:
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
• Veterans' Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. in Hollister
• Seven Trees Community Center, 3590Cas Drive in San Jose
• Camden Community Center, 3369Union Ave. in San Jose
San Mateo County
• San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403
• Temporary evacuation point: Pescadero High School, 360Butano Cutoff, Pescadero, CA 94060
SONOMA COUNTY
• Sonoma County Fairgrounds,
Kraft Hall and Hall of Flowers, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Support site: Fort Ross State Historic Park, 19005Highway 1in Jenner
• Support site: Bodega Harbor Yacht Club, 565Smith Brothers Road in Bodega Bay
• Support site: Former Bank of America building, 16390 Main St. in Guerneville
• Support site: Sonoma Veterans Community Center, 3920Bohemian Highway in Occidental
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
• Salvation Army, 214Union St. in Watsonville
• Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, JJ Crosetti Building and Harvest Hall, 2601E. Lake Ave in Watsonville
• Cabrillo College, cafeteria, 6500 Soquel Dr. in Aptos
• Temporary evacuation point: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley
• Jade Street Community Center, 4400Jade. St in Capitola