FEMA rejects California disaster declaration for March storms

[Newsjock]

Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday denied the state's request for a major disaster declaration -- and accompanying financial assistance -- in connection with storms that pelted California in March, causing $17 million in flooding, mudslides and road repairs countywide.

In a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate said the agency determined, based on National Weather Service reports, that three separate storms occurred between March 15-27, affecting different portions of California at different times. The letter says the storms "were not severe, continuous and were not beyond the combined capabilities of the state and affected local governments."

Local officials couldn't disagree more.

"That is going to be devastating in our budget to try and fix it," said county Supervisor Mark Stone, whose own district in Scotts Valley was hit by a major rockslide March 21 that cost $2.5 million alone to repair. "Especially the Nelson Road issue. I don't know where we will get the money if we don't get state and federal help."

Read more: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_18327776

[aquart]

1. FEMA still stocked with Republicans?

[atreides1]

2. Not enough funds to go around

But think of the panic it would cause if they admitted it.