President Obama Proclaims an Emergency in Response to the South Napa Earthquake

The Obama Administration today proclaimed an emergency that includes Napa and Solano Counties only. At this time, Sonoma County is not included in the President’s proclamation. Through the proclamation, the President has approved Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster funds for Public Assistance (PA), which is used to repair critical public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, water infrastructure, power generation facilities, sewage collection facilities, and drainage channels. Hazard mitigation funds were also approved to repair facilities to a level better able to withstand future earthquakes. The Obama Administration did not yet approve or deny FEMA disaster funds for Individual Assistance (IA), which helps families rebuild and repair housing.

Because the inclusion of a County and the type of disaster funds made available within the President’s Emergency Proclamation are significantly influenced by the amount of damage within a jurisdiction, FEMA is still reviewing the damage assessments being compiled by Sonoma and other Counties. A decision to expand the current proclamation to Sonoma and make IA funds available will be made by the Obama Administration at a later date.