The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on November 8, 2018, and continuing.
The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to the state, tribal, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
David G. Samaniego has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Samaniego said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.