Disaster recovery center opens in Ventura County
The County of Ventura and Federal Emergency Management Agency will open a disaster recovery center in Ventura this week to help residents in the aftermath of January storms.
FEMA recently approved disaster relief for local residents whose homes and businesses were damaged by flooding or mud and debris flows. The individual assistance program may help with costs such as temporary rental and lodging expenses, home repairs, clean up and personal property losses.
Starting Wednesday, personnel from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the center to provide information about assistance programs, officials said. They also can help individuals apply for relief or check their application status.
The center is expected to open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in Santa Rosa Hall at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. Representatives from the county’s public works department, resource management agency, the assessor’s office, farmworker resource program and the human services agency also will be on site.
Residents who need transportation or other accommodations may call the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at 805-465-6650.
Five homes in the county were destroyed and 11 others sustained major damage when storms on Jan. 9-10 drenched the region. More than 100 additional properties had less significant flooding indoors or sustained damage to yards, outbuildings and other areas, county officials said.
More information about disaster assistance is available at fema.gov/assistance/individual and vcemergency.com. To apply online, go to disasterassistance.gov.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Disaster recovery center opens in Ventura County
