President Declares Major Disaster in California following February Storms and Flooding

WASHINGTON, April 4 -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., issued the following news release:

On April 1, President Donald Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California. The declaration, granted in response to a request from California Governor Jerry Brown and supported by California's Congressional Delegation, led by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), triggers the release of federal funds to help communities affected by the winter storms.

"I'm glad to see the federal government respond to Governor Brown's request for assistance," said Lofgren, Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation. "This declaration will go a long ways towards helping repair the damage caused by severe weather this winter."

Lofgren led a bipartisan letter from 27 California Members of Congress in support of the State of California's request for a Major Disaster declaration to help address damages sustained during and after storm systems that struck the state in February, after the State had determined "the magnitude and severity of the atmospheric storm systems are beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments to address, and supplemental federal assistance is necessary."

42 counties in California, including Santa Clara, Alameda, San Mateo, Contra Costa, and Santa Cruz, were designated as areas available for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Program.

FEMA's Public Assistance Program provides grants to state and local governments and certain non-profit entities to assist them with the response and recovery from disasters. Specifically the program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.