Senate District 17 Disaster Resources

Update 3/8/23

The National Weather Service is forecasting multiple inches of rain through the rest of this week across District 17. Our office is in contact with the appropriate local, state, and federal officials to monitor regions we expect to be hit the hardest.

Please pay attention to weather forecasts, emergency alerts, and instructions from local officials and avoid non-essential travel during the storm. Some ways to prepare before the storm hits include:

  • Ensuring you have flashlights and extra batteries.
  • Charging electronic devices and keeping external batteries on hand.
  • Stocking an emergency supply kit for your home and vehicles.
  • Keeping your vehicle’s gas tank half-full or more.
  • Storing important documents and valuables in waterproof containers and moving them to the higher levels of your home.
  • Clearing out gutter and getting sand/sandbags if you home is prone to flooding.
  • Creating a physical list of emergency services and family contacts in case your electronic devices malfunction.

Sign up for Emergency Alerts for your respective County here:

Sandbag distribution sites by County:

 

Tax Extension

The State of California is extending the tax filing deadline for Californians impacted by  December and January winter storms to October 16, 2023. This aligns with the IRS’s recently announced due date extensions.

This relief applies to deadlines falling on or after January 8, 2023, and before October 16, 2023, including the 2022 individual income tax returns due on April 18 and the quarterly estimated tax payments, typically due on January 17, 2023 and April 18, 2023. Those payments were previously extended to May 15, 2023 for those impacted by winter storms. 

 

Claiming Disaster Losses

When filing their return, taxpayers should write the name of the disaster in blue or black ink at the top of their tax return to alert FTB. If filing electronically, taxpayers should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information. If a taxpayer receives a late filing or payment penalty notice related to the postponement period, they should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

Additional information and instructions are available in FTB Publication 1034, 2022 Disaster Loss: How to Claim a State Tax Deduction.

 

*Big Sur Community Advisory*

The County of Monterey's Department of Emergency Management is urging residents and businesses of Big Sur to begin stocking up with at least 2 weeks of essential supplies in anticipation of an atmospheric river weather event. The National Weather Service is predicting that a strong weather system, stronger than recent systems, may arrive late Thursday of this week lasting several days.  

This is a preliminary notice in an effort to provide Monterey County residents and Big Sur residents in particular ample time to prepare. Weather conditions are subject to change and the Department of Emergency Management will provide regular updates as information becomes available from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  

 

Update 1/19/23

 

Community Foundation Storm Relief Funds 

 

Current Assistance Available for this Federal Major Disaster Declaration

 
District 17 Counties Designated for Individual Assistance: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo
What this means: Assistance to individuals and households to repair or replace damaged property. Housing assistance available only for primary residence. Other Needs Assistance (ONA) may include transportation, childcare and medical and dental expenses. FEMA works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans to businesses (including private non-profit organizations), homeowners, and renters with physical damage.

District 17 Counties Designated for Public Assistance: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo
What this means: Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for emergency work and debris removal.

District 17 Counties Designated for Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo
What this means: Assistance to state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

 

Where to go for help

Residents and business owners in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties who sustained losses in the designated areas can apply for disaster assistance:

 

Disaster Assistance Process:

  • For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
  • Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property. 
  • If you get a busy signal, try to call in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on the weekends when call volumes tend to be lighter.

The information you provide is put into the computer

  • You are now in the system.
  • The recovery process begins.
  • If you are unable to find the information you are seeking, call FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Refer to the application number the registrars gave you when you applied.

Make an optional visit to a Disaster Recovery Center to receive more information after you have registered by phone.

  • Here you will find local, state, federal, and voluntary agencies that may be able to assist you.

Inspector will call to schedule an appointment

  • There is NO FEE for the inspection.
  • Inspectors will set up an appointment to visit your property within a few days of application.
  • Inspectors are contractors; they are not FEMA employees, but they will have FEMA ID.

Inspector will visit damaged property

  • Be present for your scheduled appointment. 
  • They will inspect the damage, verify ownership and occupancy, and make a report. Inspectors do not determine eligibility.
  • If eligible, you will receive a housing assistance check within 7-10 days.

If eligible, housing assistance check will arrive

  • Money may be spent for housing needs.

Packet will arrive in mail

  • There may be a Small Business Administration (SBA) application enclosed.
  • You MUST fill out and return this to be eligble for any further assistance.
  • Refer to the SBA website for more information. 

To reduce future loss, consider taking steps to rebuild safer and smarter

  • Take measures to reduce losses in the future.
  • Encourage community to participate in National Flood Insurance Program NFIP).
  • Consider buying flood insurance.

Call the FEMA Fraud Hotline (1-800-323-8603) if you suspect someone is filing false damage claims

  • Make sure disaster aid goes to those who deserve it.
  • It is a violation of Federal law to file a false claim.

 

Note: Page will be updated as more information is released by local, state and federal officials.