Napa Earthquake Update One Month After Disaster Declaration
Release Date: October 13, 2000
Release Number: 1342-07
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San Francisco, CA -- As of today 2,911 persons affected by the Sept. 3 earthquake in Napa County, California have registered for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teleregistration system.
The FEMA temporary housing program has approved 2,060 applications for $3,018,561. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 257 low-interest disaster loans totaling $5,373,600 and the California state Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) has awarded 122 grants totaling $107,357.
The Local Assistance Center (LAC), at 902 Enterprise Way #D, Kaiser Road off of Highway 121, reports that 1,906 persons have visited the center since it's opening on September 18. Victims of the quake have been receiving information and answers to questions from a number of federal, state, local and voluntary agencies.
Napa County homeowners, renters and business owners who have not registered with FEMA are encouraged to do so before the November 13 deadline. The toll-free teleregistration number is 1-800-462-9029 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired.
"It is never too early to prepare for the next earthquake," Dallas Jones, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) said. "A disaster plan can save lives and reduce damage to property." An effective disaster strategy takes safety steps in advance, maintains a checklist of supplies and has a family or business plan of action for when the disaster occurs.
Napa County has been designated by FEMA as a Project Impact community. Project Impact is a partnership-based nationwide effort begun by FEMA in 1997, to help communities reduce the risk of disaster effects.
Individuals, families and businesses can also minimize disaster loss through mitigation. "Loss reduction is possible and practical," states Mark Ghilarducci, the federal coordinating officer for the Napa disaster recovery effort. "Basic mitigation steps can result in increased safety, fewer losses and quicker recovery from earthquakes." Upgrading existing vulnerable structures and using improved designs in new construction has also proven to be cost-effective.
FEMA can provide you and your community more information about personal preparedness and mitigation and Project Impact. There are many resources available to you - call FEMA publications at 800-480-2520, your FEMA regional office at 415-923-7100 or access the FEMA website at www.fema.gov for more information.
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 10:33:14