Despite declaring emergency, county unlikely to get federal aid

Riverside County wasn’t ready to proclaim a state of emergency a week ago, but after the city of La Quinta declared one, and another downpour damaged a high school in Wildomar, Supervisor John Benoit said it was time.

“The damage was huge, we are just now getting a hold on most of the roads,” he said.

Roads like Varner between Bob Hope and Date Palm just north of I-10. More than a week after the storms, dirt still stacks several feet high, and one car remains trapped in its sandy grave.

“We are at an abundance of caution issuing the emergency declaration, but it is a step and a process,” Benoit said.

One Benoit thinks is unlikely to be approved. Initial estimates of damage to public infrastucture are estimated at $6.5 million. But the minimum threshold for a federal emergency declaration is $7.5 million.

“Even if we were at that threshold, there’s a very strong probability there will be no formal approval down the road,” Benoit said.

Benoit says he speaks from experience. After last year’s devastating wildfires, Silver and Mountain Fires, he made the same request and it was never approved.

“I urge people not to get their hopes up,” he said.

Especially when it comes to private property. Benoit says if the declaration isn’t approved, homeowners will be responsible for paying for flood damage if they’re not insured.

“If you’re not insured, unfortunately that risk is the homeowner’s risk and it can be devastating there’s no question about it,” he said.