State & Federal Support For November Wildfire Survivors Continues To Reach Milestones

Recovery efforts to help the affected communities and survivors affected by the November wildfires in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties continues to move forward with all hands on deck. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) continues to lead the overall recovery and debris removal program coordination efforts with its local, state and federal partners.

Here are some highlights of ongoing recovery efforts:

Assistance to Wildfire Survivors

More than 26,000 survivors have registered to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.
About 50,000 visitors have been counted at the Disaster Recovery Centers and Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers.
More than 700 claimants have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
Nearly $350 Million in Federal Grants and Loans for Wildfire Survivors
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 2,451 low-interest disaster loans to California businesses and residents totaling more than $287 million.
- FEMA has approved $38.3 million (an average of over $638,000 per day) in financial assistance to homeowners, and to renters for temporary rental assistance.
- Another $22 million has been approved for Other Needs Assistance, including disaster‐related medical, dental and funeral costs; clothing; household items such as furniture and appliances; tools and materials required for employment or schooling, fire damage to a vehicle and other disaster-related expenses.

Phase 1 Debris Removal Operations: Household Hazardous Waste

Butte County: 9,334 of 13,500 properties completed
Ventura County: 293 of 297 properties completed
Los Angeles County1,327 of 1,404 properties completed
All affected schools in Butte County completed
Phase 1 Household Hazardous Waste operations are progressing, and Phase 2 Debris Removal operations are now underway.

The Camp Fire in Butte County and the Hill and Woolsey fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties burned nearly 255,000 acres. More than 15,000 California families lost their homes and everything in them; more than 6,200 other structures were destroyed.

The last day to apply for FEMA assistance and SBA loans is Jan. 31, 2019. Register at www.disasterassistance.gov