Thompson announces assistance for towns impacted by Valley fire

Sept. 26--WASHINGTON D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced on Friday that Federal Emergency Management Agency and Public Assistance funds will be available to Lake County in the wake of the devastating Valley fire.

Thompson -- who represents the cities of Vallejo and Napa -- said the funding is for local communities to use for emergency protective measures, which include all activities that are undertaken by a community before, during, and following a disaster that are necessary to eliminate or reduce an immediate threat to life, public health, or safety, according to a press release from his office.

Examples of eligible activities include the establishment of temporary shelters and community service facilities, critical power generation, demolition of unsafe buildings, and the operation of emergency communications systems.

"The federal response to the Valley fire has been nothing short of spectacular," said Thompson, in the announcement. "Working with FEMA and other federal agencies we have been able to rapidly secure funds to help suppress the fire, repair our towns, reopen businesses and rebuild people's homes. We face a long and hard road back, but this assistance will help make sure we fully recover."

Earlier in the week, Thompson announced Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance funds will be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance.

Additionally, Thompson announced that low-interest Small Business Administration loans are now available to help businesses and residents impacted by the Valley fire, his office announced. Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, officials added.

Individuals can register with FEMA the following ways:

--Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

--Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.

Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

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