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Bush Declares San Diego A Federal Disaster Area - Money
Available to Ramona Residents for Recovery
By
E.A. Barrera
October 24, 2007
President George W. Bush has declared San Diego County a federal
disaster area, making residents of Ramona, Julian and all areas hit by the 2007
firestorm eligible for federal aid to assist in the recovery process. That
assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost
loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals
and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
"This is the news we have been waiting for an it will really accelerate the
rebuilding effort. It is really good news," said San Diego Board of Supervisor's
chairman Ron Roberts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a statement saying
those who sustained losses could begin applying for assistance as early as
October 25. People seeking information can register online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling either
800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech
impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday through Sunday.
President Bush will be in San Diego on October 25 and what he will see is a
natural disaster estimated to be worse than the Katrina Hurricane of 2005 and
the single worst fire storm in California history.
The President's declaration follows on the heels of California Insurance
Commissioner Steve Poizner's statements on assistance to victims of the
recovery.
"My heart goes out to the victims and evacuees of the fires. I will utilize
all the resources at my disposal to ensure fire survivors' are treated fairly,
quickly and honestly," said Poizner. "The Department of Insurance has offered to
support local officials at their 'one-stop shop' disaster assistance centers, in
addition to the facilities coordinated by the Governor's Office of Emergency
Services. I have fraud-fighting teams ready to move into fire storm areas once
it is appropriate. Additionally, at the request of the San Diego Sheriff's
Department we have deployed approximately a dozen investigators for assistance.
Poizner said he reminded public adjusters of a law enacted after the 2003
wildfires that prohibits them from soliciting homeowners for adjusting business
for seven calendar days after the disaster.
"The purpose of the law is to permit victims, such as victims of this week's
fires, to have some time to comprehend their losses before contracts relating to
their losses are solicited," said Poizner.
Poizner said his department had contacted insurance companies' "Catastrophe
Assistance Teams" to be sure they were working with the local, state and federal
disaster response efforts. He said fire victims should conducted home
inventories of assets, and take the time to catalogue the condition of
their homes and assets.
"Locate receipts for major purchases, such as art, electronic equipment,
appliances. Should you need to file a claim, these steps will expedite the
recovery process," said Poizner. "I urge Californians who have questions or
problems with their insurance policies to call our Hotline at 800.927.HELP
(4357)."
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