UPDATED: This press release has been updated to reflect new Disaster Recovery Center closure date. The original closure date was Friday, June 30. The date was extended to Friday, July 21.
Members of the Hoopa Valley Tribe are now eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance to help recover from severe winter storms and mudslides that occurred February 14 to March 5 of this year. Grants are available for tribal members affected by the storms to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other disaster-related needs, such as the replacement of damaged essential personal property and expenses, including transportation, childcare, moving and storage.
A Disaster Recovery Center has been opened at the Hoopa Fire Department (11121 CA-96, Hoopa, CA) to assist residents with their grant applications. The center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and will close on Friday, July 21. This center is being facilitated by the Hoopa Office of Emergency Services, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and FEMA and provides equal access to all visitors. If you use American Sign Language or assistive technology, and need accommodations to communicate, please notify staff at the center upon arrival.
When visiting the Disaster Recovery Center to apply for disaster assistance, it’s helpful to bring the following information with you:
- Address of the damaged primary residence;
- Insurance coverage information;
- Current phone number and mailing address;
- Bank account information.
Applications for FEMA disaster relief funds may also be submitted online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Helpline operators offer assistance in many languages and lines are open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Press 2 for service in Spanish and press 3 to receive interpretation in other languages.
Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to eligible members of the Hoopa Valley Tribe who have businesses, nonprofits and/or homes impacted by the storms and mudslides. Members of the Hoopa Valley Tribe may visit the Disaster Recovery Center to ask questions and apply for SBA loans in person. Applicants may also apply online and receive disaster assistance information virtually. Download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov or contact SBA’s virtual Business Recovery Center staff at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or (916) 735-1507 for assistance. The virtual recovery center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For the latest information from FEMA on California’s recovery from the severe winter storms and mudslides, visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4707. For the latest news and updates from Cal OES, visit news.caloes.ca.gov.