Costa, California Delegation urge President Biden to grant a major disaster declaration

WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa and the full bipartisan California Congressional Delegation wrote to President Joe Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for the State of California in response to recent severe weather. A major disaster declaration for California would provide a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for both emergency and permanent work from FEMA and other federal agencies.

“The magnitude of these weather systems has placed a severe strain on California’s resources and its ability to swiftly protect public health and safety,” the Members wrote.  “Although the state has invested more than $738 million in flood protection programs in the last two years alone, it has been and continues to be increasingly difficult for the state and local governments to obtain the necessary resources to respond to the devastation caused by these storms.

The Members continued, “The size and scope of these storms require additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to approve California’s request for a major disaster declaration.”

Read the full letter here.