Don’t Wait For Disaster Recovery Centers To Open, Register Now By Calling 1-800-621-3362 Or Visit Fema.Gov 

Release Date: February 7, 2006
Release Number: 1628-001

» More Information on California Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Federal and state disaster recovery officials today urged that California residents and businesses who suffered 2005/2006 winter storm and flooding damage not wait for disaster recovery centers to open to start on their path to recovery.

"It’s important that people who may be eligible for federal and state assistance register now by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (621-3362) or by visiting FEMA.gov as soon as possible," said Henry Renteria, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and state coordinating officer for the recovery effort. "Persons with hearing or speech impairment can register by calling the TTY number, 1-800-462-7585. Operators are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m."

"State and federal disaster assistance is only available by calling our toll free registration line or by registering on the FEMA website," said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Homeowners, renters and business owners in Contra Costa, Del Norte, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sacramento, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma counties who have disaster related losses directly attributable to weather events from December 17, 2005 through January 3, 2006 may be eligible for federal and state assistance. Affected homeowners and renters in those declared counties may be eligible for grants to pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and small businesses of all sizes.

OES coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California’s readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade and war-caused emergencies and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 13-Feb-2006 16:11:52