Hundreds of Santa Barbara County Residents Apply for Storm-Related Federal Disaster Assistance

More than 1,000 residents have applied for storm-related FEMA assistance in Santa Barbara County, Emergency Management Director Kelly Hubbard said Tuesday.

About $1.2 million has been approved so far, which is low compared with the number of applicants, and is expected to increase, she added.

The Jan. 9 storm caused widespread flooding and property damage, and prompted large debris removal operations countywide. Many public and private roads are closed because of landslides, washouts or other storm damage.

The county has been approved for financial reimbursement for its storm-related response and recovery work, including permanent road repairs, Hubbard told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Previously, the county estimated $150 million in damage to public and governmental infrastructure from the storm.

The county opened two in-person local assistance centers for disaster recovery, in Santa Maria and Goleta, and has additional information on its emergency website, readysbc.org.

North County Center in Santa Maria

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; seven days a week

Location: Allan Hancock College-Santa Maria Campus,

800 S. College Drive, Building O-300

Parking in Lot #6 and Lot #7 are free for visitors; no permit is needed

South County Center in Goleta

Temporarily closed Wednesday, Feb. 8 through Friday, Feb. 10

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; seven days a week

Location: Direct Relief,

6100 Wallace Becknell Road

Spanish, ASL and Mixteco interpreter services will be present at each center.

As of Sunday, the North County center had 396 visits and the South County center had 107 visits, Hubbard said.

President Joe Biden added Santa Barbara County to a federal disaster declaration, which unlocks more storm recovery funding and reimbursement for local governments and financial assistance for residents and business owners.

Apply for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800.621.3362.

The county added information to its storm recovery website on understanding FEMA letters. Some residents are getting determination letters that say they are ineligible, but those are not denial letters, Hubbard said. Oftentimes, FEMA is just looking for more documentation, or referring people to a different program, she said.

Click here for more information on applying for FEMA disaster assistance funding and understanding your FEMA letter.

805undocufund has financial assistance available for people who lost homes, vehicles or essential home items because of water damage from the January storm.

Santa Barbara and Ventura county residents who are undocumented or members of mixed-status families may be eligible.

Disaster Legal Assistance Collaborative is offering free legal help with disaster-related problems, including landlord-tenant, employment, insurance and FEMA, according to the county.

Hubbard also reminded residents of the Feb. 22 deadline to apply for expedited disaster unemployment assistance related to the January storm.

Get more information on storm-related resources at the county's website here: https://www.readysbc.org/3683/January-2023-Storm-Recovery

For storm-related resources in Spanish, visit: https://www.readysbc.org/3684/Recuperacin-de-la-tormenta-de-enero

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