President Biden declares storms in California a major disaster again, sends federal aid
President Joe Biden declared another major disaster in California Monday as the state deals with the repercussions of a new bout of severe storms.
The declaration makes federal funding immediately available to affected individuals in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties, as requested by the governor.
Gov. Gavin Newsom pressed the president to declare a major disaster in California last Tuesday, which gathered unanimous bipartisan and bicameral support from the state’s congressional delegation. In his request, Newsom had asked for help for the counties that were named in Biden’s declaration but also Calaveras and Los Angeles counties.
The White House said that Andrew F. Grant of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would coordinate federal recovery operations in the counties. More counties might receive assistance after damage assessments are completed.
“This declaration brings in more vital resources as we continue to work in lockstep with local, state and federal partners to support communities that have been turned upside down by these storms,” Newsom said in a statement.
California has dealt with catastrophic winter weather, including storms, flooding, heavy snowfall, high winds, landslides, mudslides and avalanches. The federal assistance can go toward individuals’ temporary housing, repairs, loans for loss of property and other aid for people and businesses who have suffered at the hands of the weather. It can also supplement some state, tribal and local governments’ measures on hazard mitigation to bolster resilience for future weather events.
Biden previously declared a major disaster for the state in January at Newsom’s request. The president also had visited California in late January to assess storm damage. The president followed up with an emergency declaration in March.
California has spent more than $60 million in response and recovery works, the governor’s office reported last week. The state deployed the California National Guard and other state personnel to perform rescue missions, help supply essential items and fortify levees and roadways. Newsom too expanded the California’s own state of emergency to 47 counties since late February.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 10:18 PM with the headline "President Biden declares storms in California a major disaster again, sends federal aid."
