Duarte Residents urged to Call 211 and
Report Private Storm Damage
DUARTE, CA, January 3, 2012 -- As City and private crews continue working on the long task of clearing debris from City streets, medians and parks, Duarte also continues the detailed process of collecting accurate damage assessment information
resulting from the early December hurricane-force windstorm. Los Angeles County public sector damage estimates from the windstorm that pummeled the region in early December are not high enough to meet federal assistance qualifications. Currently, public sector damage for the county stands at about $33 million and must reach $50.3 million for California to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. “The Valley has suffered a huge economic hit as a result of this record breaking windstorm,” noted Duarte Mayor, John Fasana. Adding, “We need our residents and businesses help in documenting the devastation by continuing to call 211 and report their damage.”
To ensure that Duarte and the Valley in general gets its fair share of financial relief, City officials are encouraging residents to continue reporting their storm-related costs to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, which is tallying estimates countywide. The estimates tallied by the county will be used if funding for disaster relief becomes available. To report damage, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211la.org. The City is also encouraging residents to contact the Office of Governor Jerry Brown at Phone: (916) 445-2841 or by email by pasting this address into your browser: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php and request that the Governor also facilitate the allocation of state assistance to affected LA County communities.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has also opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Pasadena to help renters, businesses, homeowners and nonprofit organizations affected by the high winds to apply for low-interest loans. The SBA issued a disaster declaration Monday, making federal assistance available to affected residents, business owners and other individuals in Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. The outreach center, located at 199 S. Los Robles Ave. Suite 550, will remain open through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be closed next week and reopen weekdays from Jan. 9 through Jan.20. Validated parking is available underground. More information on the SBA disaster loans can be obtained by calling 800-659-2955. Applications can also be obtained by visiting https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The City of Duarte’s costs alone will certainly run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars but that doesn’t take into consideration the losses suffered by local residents and businesses. State and federal emergency agencies could help with those costs but only if they have accurate damage totals and a state of emergency is declared. For additional information, please contact the City of Duarte at (626) 357-7931.
