Calif. Disaster Aid Tops $6.2M

State and federal assistance to Californians affected by the December-January severe storms and flooding has exceeded $6.2 million, state and federal officials announced.

To date, 3,973 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. The phone lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The deadline to register for assistance is April 4, less than a month away.

Federal disaster housing assistance grants totaling $3,746,057 have been approved for 1,364 households in the 13 counties declared eligible for individual assistance. An additional $1,005,501 in federal and state funding has been approved for 428 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 $1,466,400 for residents and business owners.

Inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have inspected 2,937 residences so far to determine the extent of damage and possible level of assistance.

So far, 2,633 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.