Calif. Disaster Aid from Storms Reaches Nearly $5M

State and federal assistance to Californians affected by the December-January severe storms and flooding has topped $4.8 million, state and federal officials announced.

Nearly 3,800 people have registered for federal and state assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 . Both phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Federal disaster housing assistance grants totaling $3,499,344 have been approved for 1,257 households in the 13 counties declared eligible for individual assistance. An additional $872,454 in federal and state funding has been approved for 370 households to meet other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other sources.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved low-interest disaster loans totaling $473,600 for residents and business owners.

Inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have inspected 2,535 residences so far to determine the extent of damage and possible level of assistance.

More than 2,350 people have visited assistance centers set up in several counties to answer questions and provide information for registrants. The centers are operating from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Homeowners, renters and business owners are eligible for assistance in Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado , Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa , Nevada , Sacramento , Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma counties.