Biden approves another disaster declaration for California, unlocking more federal aid

President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration in California, unlocking federal funding for those affected by the severe winter storms, flooding and landslides that have rocked the state since mid-February. 

President Joe Biden has approved another disaster declaration in California, unlocking federal funding for those affected by the severe winter storms, flooding and landslides that have rocked the state since mid-February.

Since February 21, states of emergency have been declared in 47 counties — more than 80% of the state.

“Many have lost so much, and must be supported to recover from this extreme hardship,” tweeted Luis Alejo, the Chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. “We are relieved that help is on its way!”

With this declaration, those affected by the storms in Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties will now be eligible for additional services, including housing assistance, food aid, counseling, medical support, and legal services. It also will bolster support for state, tribal and local governments dealing with emergency response and recovery costs, and provide low-cost loans as communities rebuild from the repeated disasters.

Biden’s declaration follows a request sent by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last month, which urged the federal government to ramp up support for California in the midst of continued storms.

The state, Newsom said, had been saturated with “trillions of gallons of water” in recent weeks. Two areas had been struck by a tornado, while many more had been hit with floods. Communities across the state have received record-levels of snowfall, with some areas — like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead — receiving 64 inches of snow within 48 hours. And in Pajaro, a nearly 75-year-old levee crumbled, pushing hundreds into shelters until it was safe enough to go home.

This is the second disaster declaration to be declared in California since the beginning of this year, with the first coming after the severe winter storms, landslides and flooding beginning on December 27, 2022. In mid-March, the Biden Administration issued a presidential emergency declaration — a type of federal assistance that is more limited in scope than a disaster declaration, and typically, without long-term federal recovery programs.

“This declaration brings in more vital resources as we continue to work in lockstep with local, state and federal partners to support communities that have been turned upside down by these storms,” said Newsom in a press release issued Monday evening.