THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $4.8 MILLION IN DOT EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced $4.8 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and local agencies cover repair costs for infrastructure damaged by the August 24^th, 2014 earthquake.

"Our community is still recovering from the earthquake that struck nearly six months ago," said Thompson. "Our infrastructure is still in need of repair and these funds will go a long way towards helping our recovery efforts. Going forward, I will continue working with all federal agencies to make sure our district gets the resources we need to address the damage that the earthquake caused."

ER becomes available after the President or the Governor issues a formal emergency declaration and the State files a request for ER for the cost of damages to its eligible highways.

Eligible repair work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore the highway to its pre-disaster condition.

In October, 2014, the Obama Administration approved Individual Assistance (IA) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster funds for areas in Napa and Solano Counties impacted by the earthquake. The Obama Administration also approved U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.

In September, 2014, the Obama Administration approved FEMA disaster funds for Public Assistance (PA). This is funding for local communities to use to repair public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, water infrastructure, power generation facilities, sewage collection facilities, and drainage channels. The federal government covers 75 percent of the costs, and the state and local governments split the remaining 25 percent.

Hazard Mitigation funding was also approved in September, 2014. This is funding for local communities to repair facilities in a way that will help make sure they are better able to withstand future earthquakes.

The approved funding is in response to the August 24th, magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck the Napa, Solano and Sonoma County area at approximately 3:20 a.m. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was three miles from American Canyon, six miles from Napa, and eight miles from Sonoma.

The earthquake was the largest to hit the Bay Area in 25 years. Estimates show that the earthquake caused $362 million in damage and damaged more than 1,500 homes.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5^th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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