2023 Winter Storm / Atmospheric River Event Resources
Federal Assistance
President Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California twice so far this year, triggering the release of Federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
- The January 14, 2023 declaration covered the storms that occurred from December 27, 2022 to January 31, 2023.
- Individuals living in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties were eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. Individuals living in Santa Clara County are currently eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance and can register until July 25, 2023 by calling (800) 621-3362. Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties were eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
- On January 19, 2023, President Biden visited the area to survey storm damage. View video of him landing in Watsonville, CA at the bottom of this page.
- The April 3, 2023 declaration covered the storms that occurred beginning on February 21, 2023 and continued through March.
- Individuals living in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties are eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. The deadline to apply has been extended to September 1, 2023. Monterey County, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties are eligible for FEMA Public Assistance.
- On March 17, 2023, Rep. Lofgren met with families displaced by the Pajaro River levee breach, talked to farmers whose crops and lands were flooded, and toured the ongoing repairs to the levee.
On this page, resources are provided for all four counties in CA-18.
Resources relating to the major disaster zones precede the information for emergency zones.
FEMA
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can apply for individual disaster assistance.
Please visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-3362, or use the FEMA smart phone application to check eligibility and start your application.
If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, please give FEMA the number for that service.
Here are a few FEMA guides, in addition to the charts that follow:
- FEMA’s Individual Assistance Fact Sheet
- FEMA’s Individuals and Household Program (IHP) Fact Sheet
- FEMA’s IHP Disaster Assistance Sequence of Delivery Fact Sheet
- FEMA’s Public Assistance Fact Sheet
- FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Pamphlet
- FEMA Undocumented Immigrants Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet (en español)
Current Assistance Available for Federal Major Disaster Declarations
| Individual Assistance | Public Assistance | Hazard Mitigation Assistance |
What it means | Assistance to individuals and households to repair or replace damaged property, including privately-owned access routes. Temporary housing assistance such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs available only for primary residence. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) may include repair or replacement of property and vehicles, and expenses related to moving and storage, childcare, medical, dental, and other miscellaneous items. Individuals who lost work or self-employment as a diret result of the impacts caused by the severe storms can now file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This is administered by the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and has been approved by FEMA. Click here to begin an application. FEMA works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans to businesses (including private non-profit organizations), homeowners, and renters with physical damage. FEMA Q&As: | Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and debris removal. | Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards. |
Assistance Available for Presidential Emergency Declarations
| Public Assistance Category B – Direct Federal Assistance |
What it means | The State may request that certain emergency work be performed directly by a Federal Agency when the impact of a disaster is so severe that neither the State nor local government can adequately respond, either by direct performance or by contract, the State may request that certain emergency work be performed directly by a Federal Agency. |
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
When there is an official disaster declaration, NFIP flood insurance policyholders are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance in addition to their floor insurance claim as it may help with uncovered expenses such as temporary housing assistance and other needs. Insurance claims can be filed at floodsmart.gov.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) DSNAP
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) / Disaster CalFresh provides food assistance to low-income households with eligible disaster-related food loss or damages. This assistance is available to eligible applicants who either lived or worked in declared counties. Applicants can qualify for DNAP even if not normally a SNAP recipient and current SNAP recipients may request a DSNAP supplement. Please visit cdss.ca.gov to check eligibility and start your application.
Assistance for the Agricultural Sector
The USDA has a variety of programs available to help producers recover from the loss of crops, vines, trees, or bushes and to return lands to public use.
The PDF here shows the USDA’s programs that can assist disaster-impacted farms. More information can be found at https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS21212.
Further information is available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/California/news-releases/2023/usda-offers-disaster-assistance-to-farmers-and-livestock-producers-in-california-impacted-by-floods_01262023_rel001.
The USDA also has a Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool for farms available at https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool and local farm service centers you can locate and visit: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
SBA Disaster Loans
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of the major disaster declaration.
Please visit disasterloanassistance.sba.gov or call (800) 659-2955 to check eligibility and start your application.
SBA December 2022 / January 2023 Fact Sheet (en Español)
SBA February 2023 / Ongoing SBA Announcement Sheet
Click on the topic name or () to expand any of the topics below.
Statewide and County-by-County Resources
Monterey County
- Monterey County Emergency Services / Disaster Resources
- Monterey County Emergency Services on Twitter
- Monterey County Emergency Services on Facebook
San Benito County
- San Benito 2023 Storm Page
- San Benito County Emergency Services / Disaster Resources
- San Benito County Office of Emergency Services
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
- Santa Cruz County Winter Storms Page
- Santa Cruz Office of Response, Recovery, & Resilience
- Santa Cruz County Shelter Information
State Assistance
Business owners and taxpayers impacted by California’s winter storms are now eligible for emergency tax relief from late payment interest and penalties:
- On the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) website
- By mail at California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, PO Box 942879, MIC 35, Sacramento, CA 94279
- In person at a field office
- By phone at 1-800-400-7115 (CRS:711), Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm (Pacific Time), except state holidays.
Customers can also contact CDTFA to update account information, change an address or contact information, request replacement copies of CDTFA tax records, or ask questions about their account.
In addition to the State of Emergency Tax Relief webpage, information regarding relief requests is available in various languages online, via videos in English and Spanish, and on CDTFA’s Online Services webpage.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has more information about the state and federal grant recovery programs for individuals and households – specifically supplemental assistance options for households that max out FEMA assistance – how the state can support counties’ mass care and shelter programs in California, and emergency repatriation. Visit https://www.cdss.ca.gov/disuaster-assistance for updates.
The CDSS also provides a guide on disaster assistance for immigrant families: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/13/DisasterAssistanceGuideforImmigrantCaliforniansFinal.pdf
Emergency Alerts
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Click on the county name for each hyperlink.
Safety Tips: After a Storm
The below information comes from the National Weather Service:
When flood waters recede, the damage left behind can be devastating and present many dangers. Images of flood destruction depict destroyed homes and buildings, damaged possessions, and decimated roadways. However, what you can't see can be just as dangerous. Floodwaters often become contaminated with sewage or chemicals. Gas leaks and live power lines can be deadly, but are not obvious at first glance.
- Stay Informed: Stay tuned to your local news for updated information on road conditions. Ensure water is safe to drink, cook or clean with after a flood. Authorities may ask you to boil water for a while after a flood. Utility companies often have apps to update you on getting service back. Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms when areas are dealing with power outages. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage. Review generator safety.
- Avoid Flood Waters: Standing water hides many dangers including toxins and chemicals. There may be sharp objects under the water or the road could have collapsed. If it is likely your home will flood, don't wait for evacuation order, get out! Talk to friends and family about emergency visits. If you have pets, take them with you or get them somewhere safe.
- Avoid Disaster Areas: Do not visit disaster areas. Your presence may hamper rescue and other emergency operations.
- Heed Road Closed and Cautionary Signs: Road closure and other cautionary signs are put in place for your safety. Pay attention to them!
- Wait for the All Clear: Do not enter a flood damaged home or building until you're given the All Clear by authorities. If you enter a flood damaged building, be extremely careful. Water can cause floods to collapse, ceiling to fall, etc. Make sure the electrical system has been turned off. Have the power company or a qualified electrician fix wires. Contact your insurance agent to discuss property damage. If you have a generator, follow proper safety procedures.
- Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you’re okay so they can help spread the word.
President Joe Biden Landing in Watsonville, CA to discuss the devastating storm, as streamed by KION:
