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LATEST EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY UPDATES
Earthquake Recovery Line
The Humboldt County Earthquake Recovery Line will be operating at reduced hours beginning on Monday, March 27. The line will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
County of Humboldt Partners with Habitat for Humanity
The County of Humboldt has now formalized an agreement with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter to assist residents whose homes need extensive repair. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the United States and in approximately 70 countries. Through their Disaster Risk Reduction and Response program, Habitat for Humanity will provide management and oversight services related to home rebuilding and rehabilitation for low to very low-income homeowners and residents who have been displaced, or whose homes have sustained significant damage, as a result of the recent earthquakes.
County of Humboldt Partners with McLean Foundation to raise money for earthquake recovery
Local non-profit The McLean Foundation has partnered with the County of Humboldt to raise funds for earthquake recovery projects within the county. Donations in the form of checks are being accepted. Please mail your donation to the McLean Foundation at 3000 Newburg Road, Fortuna, CA 95540. Electronic donation options are coming soon!
RECOVERY AND ASSISTANCE
Recovering from any type of disaster takes time and Humboldt County has a long road ahead. Click the tabs below to learn more about the resources and assistance available to help.
| Type of Service | Location / Contact Information | Information About Services |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Supplies | Rio Dell Community Resource Center | Non-perishable food items available from Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the month of March. |
| Clean Up Assistance and Qualifying Sheltering Extensions | Humboldt County Earthquake Recovery Line: 707-441-5000 Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Call center assisting local residents impacted by the Dec. 20 and Jan. 1 earthquakes.
|
| Food Distribution | Food for People 707-445-3166 https://www.foodforpeople.org/need-food | Food for People operates 18 programs designed to address the needs of those who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity. Click on the website to find the program that best meets your needs. |
| Program | Contact Information | Information about Services |
|---|---|---|
| Section 502 Direct Loan Program | U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development Learn more and apply for the Section 502 Program | This program helps low- and very-low-income applicants buy decent, safe, and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance to increase their applicant’s repayment ability. Payment assistance is a type of subsidy that reduces the mortgage payment for a short time. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income. Download Section 502 Program Fact Sheet |
Section 504 Home Repair Program | U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development Learn more and apply for the Section 504 Program | This program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or provides grants to elderly, very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Download Section 504 Program Fact Sheet |
| U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loan Program | https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov (800) 659-2955 Applications not completed online should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. | Homeowners, renters, business owners and certain private non-profit organizations impacted by the earthquakes may be eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans to help cover losses due to the earthquake.
The deadline to apply for economic injury assistance is Oct. 4, 2023. The deadline to apply for property damage assistance has expired (was Monday, March 6, 2023). |
| Vocality Credit Union 0% Interest Earthquake / Storm Emergency Loans | https://www.vocalityccu.org/earthquake-storm-emergency-loans | Loans available to assist with temporary housing costs due to displacement, repair home damage, or replace lost food or clothing due to impact from the quake or the recent storms that have hit the area. |
| Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc (NCIDC) Native American Disaster Assistance | ncidc.org 707-445-8451 Toll free: 800-566-2381 | For income-eligible American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian households affected by the earthquake. NCIDC can assist with the cost for hot water tank repairs, heating system repairs, and similar health and safety-related issues caused by earthquake damage. They are also offering food assistance due to failed refrigeration, and can customize case-management responses for other issues on an as-needed and eligible basis. |
| Humboldt County Property Tax Relief | Humboldt County Assessor 707-445-7663 Toll Free: 866-240-0485 https://humboldtgov.org/2847/DISASTER-RELIEF | To qualify for property tax relief, you must file a claim with the county assessor within the time specified in your county ordinance, or 12 months from the date of damage or destruction, whichever is later. The loss estimate must be at least $10,000 of current market value to qualify the property for this relief. The property will be reassessed according to its damaged state and property taxes will be adjusted accordingly. This property tax relief is available to owners of real property, business equipment and fixtures, orchards or other agricultural groves, and to owners of aircraft, boats, and certain manufactured homes – it is not available to property that is not assessable, such as state licensed manufactured homes or household furnishings. |
| Earthquake Brace and Bolt Grant California Earthquake Authority | https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com | Earthquake Brace + Bolt: Funds to Strengthen Your Foundation is an incentive program that offers grants of up to $3,000 to qualified homeowners with eligible houses in a select number of higher-earthquake-risk ZIP Codes. You do not need to be a CEA policyholder to be eligible for this grant. ZIP Codes chosen for program participation are ordered by the following two criteria:
EBB program registration is open for a limited period each year. Visit the EBB website to learn when program registration is open, and if your home qualifies. |
| Small Business Administration Disaster Mitigation Program | https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/mitigation-assistance https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov (800) 659-2955 Applications not completed online should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. | SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and small businesses impacted by declared natural and other disasters. Eligible SBA disaster loan borrowers may choose to receive expanded funding to help mitigate their home or business against future disasters. SBA disaster loans can be increased up to 20% to make building upgrades. |
| United Policy Holders | https://uphelp.org | United Policy Holders is a non-profit that helps disaster survivors through the insurance claim and long-term recovery process. Their mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and an effective voice for consumers of all types of insurance in all 50 states. They provide free insurance and decision-making guidance, tools, and resources to people, businesses, and communities. |
| AT&T Customer Disaster Relief | Residential customers: 877-241-1787, option 2. Small Business: 800-321-2000 Enterprise Customer Care: 877-937-5288, prompt 4. Note: Enterprise customers will need a tracking number, an asset ID number, or a ticket number Persons experiencing visual, hearing and speech, cognitive, mobility, and aging challenges may call the AT&T Accessibility Assistance Center at 1-800-772-3140. | AT&T wireline and VoIP telephone customers in affected areas may call for customer assistance including waiver of fees for remote call forwarding and voicemail. |
| Program | Contact Information | Information about Services |
|---|---|---|
| CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, General Relief | DHHS Offices:
| Through the Department of Health and Human Services, eligible households can obtain food assistance (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs, General Assistance, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants), and affordable health insurance (Medi-Cal). |
| Mental Health Assistance | Behavioral Health Warm Line: Behavioral Health 24-hour Crisis Line: 707-445-7715 | |
| Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program Tri-County Independent Living | Tri-County Independent Living Phone Line Hours: | PG&E customers that are dependent on electric powered/charged medical or assistive technology devices and are impacted by the power outages may be eligible for Tri-County Independent Living’s Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program. Through this program, eligible individuals can obtain temporary sheltering assistance, financial assistance for meals and gas, transportation services and emergency planning. |
| Program | Contact Information | Information about Services |
|---|---|---|
| The Humboldt County 2022 Earthquake Business Recovery Survey | Local businesses impacted by the earthquake are asked to complete a Business Recovery Survey created by the County’s Economic Development Department GoHumCo. This survey will be used to track, monitor and quantify business losses in Humboldt County following the earthquake.Losses will be totaled and shared with federal and state agencies as we seek outside support for our community. | |
| Humboldt County Economic Development Department, GoHumCo | https://www.gohumco.com/379/2022-Humboldt-Earthquake-Recovery-Respon | Full list of business resources |
| Small Business Development Center (SBDC) North Coast Disaster Assistance | https://www.northcoastsbdc.org/2023/01/12/north-coast-disaster-assistance-winter-2023/ | List of business resources compiled by the SBDC. |
BUILDING INSPECTIONS AND BUILDING INSPECTION TAGS ON RESIDENCES
Building inspectors look for indications of damage due to the earthquake that would make the home unsafe to occupy or would require limits on occupancy in parts of the home or commercial buildings. If a “yellow tag” is placed on a building, it will indicate limitations on its use, such as a limited period of time for residents to remove their belongings, beyond which the home may not be occupied. A “red tag” indicates that the entire home is thought to be a potential hazard to life and cannot be entered or occupied until knowledgeable design professionals are able to further evaluate the conditions and determine required stabilization methods to allow retrieval of possessions or required repairs. If a red tag is assigned, you will be asked to leave the building immediately.
If your residence has been tagged by building inspectors, follow the directions as listed on the tag. Rio Dell residents are asked to keep all red, yellow and green tags remaining on their homes until further notice. Those who have already made the necessary repairs to their residences are asked to make an appointment to schedule a new building inspection to ensure their structure can be removed from the red or yellow-tagged list and added to the “green-tagged” or safe to occupy category.
If you have any further questions regarding the tag placed on your residence or if you are having trouble getting in touch with their landlords regarding earthquake related repairs to rented dwellings, visit Rio Dell City Hall at 675 Wildwood Avenue or call directly at 707-764-3532.
To request a building inspection or if you have questions regarding your residence, please contact your city's local building department:
| Jurisdiction | Phone Number | Email Address | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Humboldt County | 707-445-7541 | planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us | County Website |
| Rio Dell | 707-764-3532 | N/A | Rio Dell Website |
| Fortuna | 707-725-7640 | jbaldwin@ci.fortuna.ca.us | Fortuna Website |
| Eureka | 707-441-4043 | building@ci.eureka.ca.gov | Eureka Website |
| Arcata | 707-822-5956 | N/A | Arcata Website |
For all other municipalities contact your city's local planning and building department.
HIRING A CONTRACTOR
Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed. Property owners are reminded to use licensed contractors for any repairs above $500. Ask to see the license. Impacted residents can find a licensed contractor at CSLB’s Find My Licensed Contractor. Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract. Don’t necessarily take the lowest bid, especially if it’s much less than other bids. To learn more tips, visit: Contractors State License Board Disaster Help Center
How can you tell if a contractor might not be reputable? Here are some tactics scammers use:
- Scammers knock on your door looking for business because they are “in the area.”
- Scammers say they have materials left over from a previous job.
- Scammers pressure you for an immediate decision.
- Scammers ask you to pay for everything up front or only accept cash.
- Scammers ask you to get any required building permits.
- Scammers suggest you borrow money from a lender they know.
Work with your local building department to make sure you understand the rebuilding process and take advantage of all services they can provide. Don’t sign over any payment checks from your insurance company.
MORE RESOURCES:
- Rebuilding After a Disaster (video)
- 10 Tips for Hiring a Contractor (PDF checklist, English and Spanish)
- 10 Tips for Hiring a Contractor (video)
- Find local, licensed contractors
- Check a Contractor’s license
STAY INFORMED
The most important thing you can do while the community recovers is to keep informed.
- Sign up to receive Humboldt County Emergency Alerts at: humboldtgov.org/alerts
- Subscribe to OES news releases at: humboldtsheriff.org/subscribe
- Visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter, or call 707-268-2500.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION UPDATES
PRESS RELEASES:
PRESS CONFERENCE RECORDINGS:
December 20, 2022 | YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq5EKfZY9aA
December 23, 2022 | https://youtu.be/Q-vGNGPTF48
January 12, 2023 Town Hall | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZfSSYLrOaE
March 2, 2023 Town Hall | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LP7_-7w6Ys
DONATE
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is not currently accepting material donations. To make a financial donations to assist with the response can be made directly to the following:
- Habitat for Humanity Humboldt County Project: PayPal
- McClean Foundation Rio Dell Earthquake Recovery Fund
- Rio Dell Fire Department: Venmo @RioDellFire-Department, GoFundMe or mailed to 50 W Center St. Rio Dell, CA 95562
- Pay it Forward Humboldt: 707-616-9191, payitforwardhumboldt@gmail.com
- American Red Cross: 1-800-435-7669, redcross.org
- Humboldt Area Foundation
VOLUNTEER
SIGN UP FOR HUMBOLDT ALERT
Residents are also encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive local emergency notifications, including information regarding evacuations and emergency sheltering in the event of a wildfire, flood or other emergency incident. Residents can sign up by going to: humboldtgov.org/alerts.