WASHINGTON, D.C. >> On Tuesday evening President Barack Obama issued a statement declaring the Valley Fire in Lake County a major disaster.
The declaration, which had been requested by Gov. Jerry Brown for several areas of Northern California, releases federal funds to aid in recovery. The action will include money to assist in clean up of debris.
“This federal declaration will provide the victims of the Valley Fire with the additional support they need to help recover, rebuild and reinvigorate our communities,” Senator Mike McGuire said after hearing the news.
The Valley Fire remained at 75 percent containment Tuesday afternoon. It has destroyed more than 76,000 acres, more than 1,200 homes and resulted in three deaths so far.
It now ranks as the third most destructive fire in the state’s history.
“The state has come in with unprecedented levels of support to help in the immediate aftermath — and we look forward to continuing our work together on the local, state and federal level to ensure Lake County comes back stronger than ever and thrives,” McGuire said.
The State will be active in managing the roll-out of the FEMA assistance, which will provide financial help, temporary housing, funding for housing repair and other individual needs like clean-up items, moving expenses, clothing and more.
A presidential disaster declaration provides both residents and business owners with grant opportunities and low cost loan opportunities. Funding to cover temporary housing is also included.
“The SBA is strongly committed to providing California with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help California businesses and residents affected by the Valley fire,” said Small Business Administration administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
According to Contreras-Sweet, disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Lake County residents affected by the fire can register with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov; via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362.
