Clinton Calls 19 Calif. Counties Disaster Areas

President Clinton on Wednesday declared 19 California counties major disaster areas, triggering an array of federal assistance to help individuals, businesses and local governments recover from the devastating winter storms early last month that brought floods and mudslides to much of the state.

The emergency aid package will be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and includes housing assistance, counseling, and grants and low-interest loan programs for damaged homes and businesses.

It also makes available 75% federal matching funds to repair public roads and facilities affected by the storms, which killed more than 20 people and damaged more that 1,000 residences and commercial properties.

The counties included Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego in Southern California, but not Los Angeles or Ventura counties.

Gov. Pete Wilson, who requested the disaster declaration in a Jan. 27 letter to the White House, welcomed Clinton’s announcement but made it clear he would continue to press for additional federal help.

“Because of California’s unprecedented series of disasters and the overall lack of revenues,” Wilson said, “my Administration will continue to work with the Clinton Administration to find a way for the federal government to pick up 100% of the public assistance costs.”

A FEMA spokesman said the 75% level is set by law, but it can be waived in extraordinary circumstances, such as the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Andrew in south Florida last summer.

The various disaster aid programs will be coordinated by FEMA’s San Francisco regional office and include:

* Rental payments for temporary housing for up to 18 months.

* Grants for minimal repairs to make homes habitable.

* Grants up to $11,900 to cover disaster-related needs not covered by other federal programs.

* Unemployment payments to workers who temporarily lost jobs and do not qualify for state benefits.

* Low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration to cover property losses.

* Farmers Home Administration loans for losses to agricultural equipment and crops.

* Crisis counseling, income tax assistance, and help for veterans and Social Security recipients.

Southern California congressmen who represent counties hard hit by the storms applauded the White House announcement.

Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside), whose district includes parts of Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties, said he was “very pleased that the decision has been made.”

Rep. George E. Brown Jr. (D-Colton), whose district covers Riverside and San Bernardino counties, said the federal aid “will help many Californians pick up the pieces.”

Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego) praised the declaration but said finding a long-term solution to the flooding in the Tijuana River Valley was even more important. “This gives us the opportunity to fix this problem once and for all,” he said.

The amount of federal assistance won’t be known until FEMA and other federal agencies begin to take applications for various loan programs.

A joint damage assessment by FEMA and the state found $127.8 million in damage.

Presidential spokesman George Stephanopoulos, in making the announcement Wednesday, said California would be receiving a $1.86-million grant. But a FEMA official explained that figure as the estimated cost for only one of the grant programs available.

INFORMATION

The White House declared the following California counties federal disaster areas: Contra Costa, Fresno, Imperial, Lassen, Madera, Mendocino, Modoc, Monterey, Orange, Plumas, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Tehama, Tulare and Trinity. Residents and business owners can apply for assistance by calling (800) 462-9029. Those who are hearing- or speech-impaired can call (800) 462-7585. The toll-free numbers operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.