SACRAMENTO >> The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration have provided more than $19 million in recovery grants and low-interest loans since wildfires swept Lake and Calaveras counties.
More grants and loans are in the pipeline, with a month remaining before the Nov. 23, deadline to register for assistance. FEMA has completed 2,649 inspections overall and met with more than 7,000 residents in Lake County since the major disaster declaration.
“Our job here is to help the State of California and its people recover from these devastating wild fires,” said Timothy Scranton, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for this disaster. “That task does not end with the Individual Assistance registration deadline.”
As of Tuesday, FEMA had approved $9.39 million in recovery funds. Much of this is designated toward housing for repair or rebuilding, however, almost $3 million fills Other Needs — a category set aside to help those affected by the fire cover clothing, household goods, medical expenses and other necessary costs.
“We’re still receiving applications and processing applications,” reported FEMA external affairs specialist Steven Solomon. “The expectation is that there will be more approvals.”
Meanwhile SBA loan approvals related to both the Valley and Butte fires climbed to over $10 million on Tuesday, with $9.6 million going toward residents to assist in the rebuilding process.
“SBA’s disaster assistance employees are committed to helping businesses and residents rebuild as quickly as possible,” said Donna Davis, SBA regional administrator.
The federal government is in the process of providing manufactured housing units for displaced residents with no rental or other short term option. Other organizations are also contributing to the recovery. North Coast Opportunities is accepting applications for the distribution of funds. A group of nonprofits and volunteer agencies are working on long term recovery plans. Organizers of #LakeCountyRising are in the first round of disbursement from donations topping $500,000.
The California Department of Social Services has approved $620,000 in state grants through the State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP). Individuals and households who have received the maximum amount of assistance from FEMA will be referred to the SSGP for consideration.
“While the flames have been put out, we are committed to make sure that the recovery assistance continues to pour into the impacted areas and serves the victims of these fires,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.
FEMA and the SBA expect the process to continue for several months. FEMA survivor assistance teams have visited close to 4,500 homes. After FEMA registration, an inspector is assigned to verify and record damage to the dwelling, based on a uniform scale. In Lake County, 1,933 people have visited Disaster Recovery Center.
FEMA has responded to requests from 176 survivors with disabilities or others with access and functional needs.
Free legal assistance is available to disaster survivors through an agreement between FEMA and the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association.
Disaster survivors facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 1-800-657-0479
between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. For TTY: call 711.
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Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance; 916-381-0330, TTY call 711.
For more updated information on California’s wildfire recovery, survivors may visit: caloes.ca.gov or fema.gov/disaster/4240.
“We really are trying to reach everyone,” Solomon said.
