On Nov. 22, President Joe Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bring additional Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to Riverside and four other California counties that sustained damage from Tropical Storm Hilary and funding for statewide hazard mitigation. Although the amount is not known yet, the county and state assistance will be provided on a cost-sharing basis. This financial aid is expected to alleviate some of the substantial monetary burdens brought on by the storm’s devastation.
This declaration comes after initial emergency actions took place. According to a press release issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Nov. 22, the governor had proclaimed a state of emergency in 13 counties to support the state’s response to Hilary and the recovery effort. The hardest hit counties, those set to receive more funding, include Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Riverside and Siskiyou.
As noted by Governor Newsom, “President Biden continues to stand with our state whenever disaster strikes. This declaration brings in more resources to support communities and rebuild critical public infrastructure,” said Newsom in the press release.
The extent of damage in Riverside County was documented in an official report. According to a report published Aug. 24 on Riverside County’s official website, county damage estimates exceed $126 million. The damage to roads, bridges and water control facilities surpassed $107 million. Coachella Valley had endured the brunt of the impact in Riverside County, Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez stated in the report.
The fourth district supervisor emphasized on how impactful this natural disaster was, “This tropical storm was real, our agencies and communities prepared for it and took it seriously, and we pre-positioned equipment and resources in the Coachella Valley. This is a natural disaster that caused significant damage to the 10 Freeway, to county roadways and to most of our Coachella Valley cities,” Perez added.
