President Biden assesses storm damage, recovery efforts in soaked California
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President Joe Biden on Thursday said the federal government will partner with California in the years-long recovery that will be needed after unprecedented storms battered the state in recent weeks.
“While the situation is still treacherous, we’re cautiously optimistic that the worst part is behind,” Biden said after touring some of the hardest hit areas.
The amount of snow California received, in addition to rain, means the state could have more flooding if the snow melts rapidly.
“It is going to be a concern throughout the snowmelt season,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who accompanied Biden.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the scale and scope of the three weeks of “mega floods” has been hard for many people to understand.
California has seen homes flooded, roofs torn off houses, levees breached, cars submerged and trees uprooted in recent weeks.
Video: Calif. weather calms but damage is extensive
The latest
California has been battered by atmospheric river storms since late December, resulting in flooding, mudslides and landslides. At least 21 people have died. Newsom said there were more than 1,400 "heroic rescues."
Biden declared an emergency exists in California last week, making federal funding available to multiple counties. More counties are expected to be included as damage assessment continues.
Most counties had at least some damage from the staggering amount of rain and snow California received.
Thousands of homes were seriously damaged and many roads remain closed.
The cost of the damage is expect to exceed $1 billion.
In early January, Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency throughout California to support the ongoing response.
Where Biden went
Biden received an aerial view of the damage in Santa Cruz County. He met with residents and business owners in Capitola, California.
"Sorry man we're slowing up your work," Biden told a contractor while looking at the sea-shredded floor of a restaurant.
At Seacliff State Park, Biden met with first responders and state and local officials.
More than 500 staff from FEMA and other federal agencies have been deployed to California to support response and recovery operations.
Trip is Biden's third to California as president
Biden last visited the nation's largest Democratic state in October as part of a West Coast swing to raise money and rally Democrats before the 2022 elections.
Biden also touted a bipartisan infrastructure package in Los Angeles and ordered a chicken quesadilla at a taco stand.
In his one other trip to California as president, Biden campaigned for Newsom ahead of the governor's 2021 recall election.
Dig deeper: More coverage of flooding
What happened to California's drought?: It's still a problem, new data says.
'Rivers in the sky': What exactly is an atmospheric river?
Before and after: Drastic images capture the devastation from a series of storms in California
County-by-county breakdown: What part of the US has the most disasters?
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden assesses storm damage in California from floods, landslides
