The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now assisting residents in Southern California with damage due to mudslides after the Thomas Fire, the biggest fire in California history, scorched over 267,000 acres, according to officials.

FEMA announced that the federal disaster assistance declaration made available to the state of California to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from Dec. 4, 2017 and continuing has been amended, according to officials.

“The declaration now includes damage from flooding, mudflows and debris flows directly related to the wildfires, which may be eligible under the current declaration,” the news release explained. “Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by wildfires in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.”

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide, the news release continued.
William Roche continues to serve as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area, according to officials.

Assistance for state, tribal, and affected local governments can include as required:

• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
• Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)”

Additional designations may be made at a later date depending on the results of damage assessments, Roche said.

Recovery officials will announce locations in the affected areas to move forward with the application process for state, tribal, and local governments.

For more information visit the FEMA website.

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