SAN DIEGO — President Joe Biden Monday declared a major disaster status for California and ordered federal assistance for San Diego County areas affected by severe storms and flooding last month.
The assistance will benefit local, state and tribal recovery efforts, according to a White House news release.
Money may be used for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses or other programs to help people or business owners.
The White House said federal funding will also be available, on a cost-sharing basis, for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Biden's announcement follows an unprecedented storm on Jan. 22 that deluged various communities in the San Diego region with more than 2 inches of rain in just two hours. According to the National Weather Service, it was the fourth wettest day in San Diego since 1850.
In a statement Monday evening, Mayor Todd Gloria said the federal disaster designation will allow the city to focus on long-term rebuilding efforts.
“For weeks since the severe storm on Jan. 22, I have been advocating with state and federal officials — including Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, FEMA Region 9 leadership, and our state and Congressional delegations — to secure a FEMA major disaster declaration that qualifies our residents for individual assistance," Gloria said. "This announcement today is what we were advocating for and means more help is on the way. "
The California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA will set up a Joint Field Office for the San Diego region and will set up Disaster Recovery Centers in the most impacted communities, according to Gloria's statement. The City of San Diego and County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, CalOES, and FEMA will work together to connect people with federal assistance.
The San Diego city Stormwater Department received more than 500 calls regarding flooding and other issues during and following the rain.
Damage from the storm was most widespread in cities and neighborhoods in a line from Coronado, through densely populated areas of the city, Spring Valley and east to unincorporated La Mesa and El Cajon, according to the county Communications Office.
Over 70 streets in neighborhoods including Southcrest, Mountain View, Encanto and others were heavily impacted by flooding, with mud and debris blocking the public right of way.
N. Allison Pfaender of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations, according to the White House.
Those wishing to apply for assistance may call 800-621-FEMA or use the FEMA app, https://www.ready.gov/fema-app.
WATCH RELATED: Record-setting storm continues across California (Feb. 5, 2024)