La Quinta denied aid from the State for September flooding

The City of LaQuinta learned yesterday it will not be getting any aid from the State to help with expenses stemming from September’s flooding.

The Riverside County Office of Emergency Services informed the City that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has denied any financial assistance for flood damages from the storms of September 7 and 8.

The news came in spite of the fact nearly three inches of rain fell within an hour in La Quinta on the latter date.

The funding was denied because “…the damages from this event did not meet the minimum threshold ….”. The threshold, established by the federal government (U.S. Small Business Administration “SBA”), is based on at least 25 homes or businesses that have sustained uninsured losses of 40% of the estimated replacement/pre-disaster fair market value or more.

The City of La Quinta and other affected regions combined their flood losses and came up short.

“We are extremely disappointed and frustrated.” said City Manager Frank Spevacek. “This was a big blow to all who suffered severe monetary losses due to the flooding.”

Spevacek said the City of La Quinta, along with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, is recommending affected residents/businesses contact Ygrene’s Clean Energy Program, a provider of residential and commercial property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing.

Ygrene has made $25 million available for funding assistance to help local residents recover from the storm damage.

Interested residents should visit www.cleanenergycvupgrade.com or call the toll-free number (877) 819-4736.