FEMA aid tops $20 million in county

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, along with other federal, state, and local partners, have undertaken a community effort to support San Diego County from the Jan. 21-23 severe storm and flooding disaster. FEMA and the Small Business Administration have distributed more than $20 million in disaster recover assistance for survivors.

According to a FEMA April 3 press release, more than 2,427 households have been approved for FEMA grants, with $15.1 million in housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.

Nearly $2.4 million has been approved for other essential disaster-related needs such as medical expenses and loss of personal possessions. FEMA’s door-to-door crew have visited 13,316 households to help survivors to apply for assistance in which more than 78% of homeowners who applied received some additional funds for mitigation efforts. The U.S. SBA has approved 65 loans for $1.7 million.

San Diego County residents have until April 19 to apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone at (800) 621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or by downloading the FEMA app

For the latest FEMA information on the Jan. 21-23, San Diego County severe storm and flooding, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4758.

—A.H.F.

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