Resources for those impacted by the winter storms

Heavy rainfall in early 2023 caused floodwater challenges for many of us in California’s agriculture community. Following are relief and support resources available from state and federal partners. Click here for California Department of Food and Agriculture, Flood Recovery Resources.

Guidance on applying for FEMA disaster assistance for storm damages

Alameda County was added this week to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding, meaning residents who had damage or losses from the storms that began Dec. 27, 2022, may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The declaration allows FEMA to provide direct support to individuals and households in Alameda County and 12 other California counties.

The deadline for homeowners or renters to apply is March 16, 2023. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses.

Residents who have insurance should first file a claim with their insurance provider. FEMA provides assistance for uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.

Applicants must use the disaster incident number DR-4683-CA when applying. There are several ways to apply for FEMA assistance under the Individual Assistance program:

  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov and apply via their online application
  • Download the FEMA mobile app
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

USDA Expands Eligibility, Enhances Benefits for Key Disaster Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made updates to several conservation, livestock and crop disaster assistance programs to give more farmers, ranchers, and tribes the opportunity to apply for and access programs that support recovery following natural disasters. Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded eligibility and enhanced available benefits for a suite of its programs. These updates will provide critical assistance to producers who need to rebuild and recover after suffering catastrophic losses of production and infrastructure due to natural disasters. Follow this link for more information.

Road Conditions/Maintenance for Unincorporated Areas

Alameda County provides many of the basic services that affect the daily lives of everyone who lives, works, visits and commutes within the unincorporated areas of Alameda County. The unincorporated areas within Alameda County include the urban communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo, Sunol and most of the rural outlying areas of the eastern portion of the county. You can request services online for pavement problems, potholes, roadway construction, street and traffic sign problems, street lights, and traffic signals. Alameda County Public Works Service Request can be found online by following this link.

  • Visit any Disaster Recovery Center and meet with FEMA staff and representatives of other federal and state agencies who can provide information about disaster assistance. To find a recovery center near you, visit the DRC Locator on the FEMA website.

For additional help in applying, watch an accessible video on how to apply here or visit disasterassistance.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) #M4683 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides Eligible Primary County/Counties or Land(s):

Eligible Primary County/Counties or Land(s): Alameda, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, Tulare, Ventura, and Yolo.

Eligible Contiguous County/Counties: Alpine, Amador, Del Norte, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Shasta, Solano, Sutter, Stanislaus, Tehama, Tuolumne, and Yuba

Event: January 14, 2023, Presidential Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4683-DR as a result of Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides beginning on December 27, 2022.

Assistance made available by designation:

  • Emergency farm loans for both physical and crop production losses as a direct result of the disaster
  • Up to a maximum of $500,000
Who may apply: Farmers and ranchers who conduct family-sized farming operations

How to apply:

  • Contact local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office listed in the local telephone directory under U.S. Government, Agriculture
  • Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD)

Deadline to apply:

  • 10/2/2023: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo, Del Norte, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Madera, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Plumas, San Bernardino, Shasta, Solano, Sutter, Stanislaus, Tehama, Yuba
  • 9/26/2023: Santa Barbara, San Francisco
  • 9/18/2023: Calaveras, Alpine, Amador, Tuolumne
  • 9/14/2023: Mariposa
Click here for the USDA website for additional information.