WASHINGTON — Federal emergency aid is being made available to California to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the “unprecedented” COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional FEMA aid became available after President Donald Trump on Sunday declared a “major disaster” in the Golden State and also ordered in the National Guard to assist with the emergency response.
As of 10 a.m. Monday morning, California has more than 1,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with the death toll now at 35.
The president’s action makes federal funding available for crisis counseling for affected individuals in all areas of the state of California. Similar declarations were also made for New York state and Washington state, where the pandemic appears to be spreading most rapidly, threatening to overwhelm available hospital beds.
The president’s declaration makes federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under public assistance, for all areas affected by COVID-19 in the state of California.
The federal cost share is 75 percent.
Robert J. Fenton has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Fenton said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
