I have damage to my property; what should I do?
For those who have experienced personal property damage, and have insurance, do not wait to file a claim with your insurance company. Contact your insurance company right away to determine what resources might be available. Keep track of the damages and take photos of structural and content damage. Retain receipts for any repair work. The Town does not remove debris or clean up private property.
For tips on cleaning your home after a flood and other resources, download the American Red Cross guide: Picking Up The Pieces After a Disaster (PDF)
What assistance is available to me?
On February 3, 2023, Contra Costa County was added to the major disaster declaration for California’s severe storms and flooding, meaning residents who had damage or losses from the storms that began Dec. 27, 2022, may now apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The declaration allows FEMA to provide direct support to individuals and households in Contra Costa County and 12 other California counties.
The deadline for homeowners or renters to apply is March 16, 2023. Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare, and moving and storage expenses.
How to Apply for Individual Disaster Assistance
Residents who have insurance should first file a claim with their insurance provider. FEMA provides assistance for uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.
Applicants must use the disaster incident number DR-4683-CA when applying. There are several ways to apply for FEMA assistance under the Individual Assistance program:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov and apply via their online application
- Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit any Disaster Recovery Center and meet with FEMA staff and representatives of other federal and state agencies who can provide information about disaster assistance. To find a recovery center near you, visit the DRC Locator on the FEMA website.
- On Wednesday, February 15, a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is opening in Danville. A DRC is a location where residents/businesses affected by the Dec/ Jan Winter Storms can connect directly with FEMA and CALOES to apply for assistance. There will also be interpreters at the DRC to work with applicants on-site in Spanish and ASL, with additional languages available as requested. The location is listed below.
- The Disaster Recovery Center:
Location: 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dates: February 15 to March 1
You will need to provide:
- Insurance determination letter. (Note: FEMA cannot provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.)
- Proof of occupancy or ownership
- Proof of ID
For additional help in applying, watch an accessible video on how to apply here or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
For more details, read: