Officials clarify federal aid use for Tropical Storm Hilary recovery efforts
We're getting more clarity on the federal major disaster declaration from Tropical Storm Hilary including where funding will go and will not go.
When Hilary swept through Southern California, it damaged both public and private property. In its wake, we saw ruined roadways and train tracks, flooded homes, and businesses destroyed.
The Power of Water: In-depth look at the water and mud flow damage from Tropical Storm Hilary
We spoke with Representative Raul Ruiz who says this declaration frees up money to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the late August storm.
"The funding will specifically go to the city, that property of the cities and the counties, the roadways, the bridges, the lights, the fences that are owned by the city and the county for repair, which were significant. In Riverside County alone, it was over $125 million," Ruiz said.
The repairs he is explaining, are covered under the "public assistance" damages that Governor Gavin Newsom outlined when he asked for federal help.
Newsom did not specifically request another category called "individual assistance" in that application. This means that residents whose homes were damaged by the storm are not getting federal funding through this disaster declaration.
"The residents who have had damage to their homes, their first step, it has always been to connect with their home insurance, the next step is to work within the county infrastructure in order to get the information necessary for them to get more funding," Ruiz said.
Statement from Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (11/28/23)
"The state is committed to maximizing federal aid to communities impacted by disasters including Hurricane Hilary.
In this particular case, the damage caused by this storm did not meet the federal government’s thresholds for damage to residences to activate individual assistance programs. Our colleagues at FEMA can likely speak with greater specificity to requirements they set forth.
Cal OES has been working closely with the impacted counties for several months following the storm to make assistance available through other state and federal programs. This includes providing low-interest federal disaster loans through the US Small Business Administration (SBA) which are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster
Separately, if gaps remain beyond the assistance available through the federal government. The state will work closely with local officials to identify other possible options for aid either public or through local philanthropic or community based org organizations."
Last week, when the declaration was announced, we talked with residents of the hard-hit Panorama Park neighborhood in Cathedral City about their individual hopes for additional funding. It's now more clear, the federal funding heading our way is to help rebuild the public infrastructure.
In Cathedral City, council members are set to discuss the funding at their meeting on Wednesday.
