More than 130 San Diego-area home and business owners have reported to the County that they sustained damage to their properties as a result of the weekend’s rainstorm that spun out of the remnants of Hurricane Dolores.
The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services is compiling damage estimates from residents who were affected by the record rainfall and flooding in some areas. San Diego County residents with property damage from the weekend’s storms can still complete a brief damage survey on the SDCountyRecovery.com page. The survey is not a claim, and does not guarantee a disaster declaration or eligibility to receive disaster assistance.
The County will provide the information gathered from damage surveys to the state, and the governor can request that the Small Business Association make an SBA Disaster Declaration. If this were to occur, it would open up eligible residents and business owners who are uninsured or underinsured to low interest disaster loans from the SBA.
The SBA threshold for a disaster declaration is for at least 25 homes or businesses to have sustained rain or flood damage that is at least 40 percent of the fair market value of the property prior to the damage. If the SBA declares a disaster, then property owners whose properties have minor damage could also apply for an SBA disaster loan.
For immediate local assistance, the American Red Cross has provided assistance to residents by helping with temporary hotel lodging and clean-up resources. The Salvation Army is also assisting with clean-up starter kits for residents.
