Dreier Applauds Presidential Disaster Declaration

February 5, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Leader of the California Republican Congressional Delegation, thanked President Bush today for his expedited approval of California’s federal disaster declaration request, released last night. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made the request in the wake of severe winter storms that caused devastating flooding and mudslides throughout California. Dreier and the bipartisan California Congressional Delegation had called on the President for expedited approval on February 1.

“President Bush and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have responded quickly to provide critical federal funding in the wake of the severe weather that caused so much tragedy throughout Southern California,” Dreier said. “This declaration is the result of Californians working together under Governor Schwarzenegger’s leadership. Our communities will now have the federal support they need for their recovery efforts.”

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, debris flows, and mudslides in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.