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Feb/Mar 2023 Winter Storm Recovery Resources
Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance Extended to September 1st
Nevada County was recently added to the Presidential FEMA Individual Assistance Declaration for the February 2023 Winter Storms. This makes new resources available to residents and businesses that experienced damages or hardships due to this year’s winter storms.
Renters and homeowners in 14 counties impacted by the February and March storms and flooding will now have more time to sign up for federal disaster assistance. FEMA’s registration period, due to end July 20th, has been extended to September 1, 2023. The eligible counties are Butte, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne. The extended registration deadline will provide more time for survivors living in remote areas as well as for residents in counties recently designated for federal disaster assistance.
President Biden declared the federal disaster on April 3, 2023. It covers damage caused by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides between February 21 and July 10, 2023.
FEMA Individual Assistance for Residents
FEMA’s Individual Assistance Declaration for the February 2023 Winter Storms makes individual residents eligible for FEMA funding and programming, such as financial assistance, unemployment assistance, counseling, legal services, and case management.
Residents are encouraged to apply directly with FEMA online through the Disaster Assistance Center or via phone at 1-800-621-3362 by FEMA’s deadline on September 1, 2023. Download FEMA's Help After a Disaster pamphlet to learn more about Individual Assistance.
SBA Low-Interest Loans for Businesses
Businesses that suffered physical damage or economic impacts due to the February 2023 Winter Storms can apply for low-interest federal loans through the Small Business Association (SBA). The deadline to apply for physical loan damage is next Thursday, July 20th, and the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan is January 3, 2024.
To begin the application process, businesses can do one of the following:
- Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.
- Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
- The Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is available to provide no-cost assistance with their application. The Sierra SBDC can be reached at (530) 582-5022 or info@sierrasbdc.com.
Find information on what types of disaster loans are available and the requirements, interest rates, loan amounts, and more on SBA’s Fact Sheet.
Businesses with additional questions or needing County assistance can contact Nevada County’s Economic Development Office at 530-470-2795 or kimberly.parker@nevadacountyca.gov.
Local Assistance Centers Now Open
To support residents in connecting to disaster assistance resources, Nevada County is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to host Local Assistance Centers (LAC) in Grass Valley and Truckee. Each LAC will have staff from up to twenty local, state, and federal partners on hand to assist residents and answer questions. Residents and businesses are encouraged to apply online, over the phone, or stop by one of the LAC events in Nevada County for questions and support on the application process.
Grass Valley Local Assistance Center
- Bear River High School: 11130 Magnolia Rd, Grass Valley, CA 95949
- Thursday, July 13th- Saturday, July 29th
- 9am-7pm daily
Truckee Local Assistance Center
- Alder Creek Middle School: 10931 Alder Dr, Truckee, CA 96161
- Friday, July 14th- Saturday, July 29th
- 9am-7pm daily
Local Resources
Property Tax Relief
If your property was damaged due to the storm, you may be able to get a reassessment due to misfortune or calamity. Read more: Property Tax Relief as a Result of Storm Damage.
Building Permit Fee Waivers
Residents and business owners with storm damage repairs in unincorporated Nevada County will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits through the Nevada County Community Development Agency (CDA) for repairs following the February 24, 2023, winter storm.
The Nevada County Contractors’ Association (NCCA) or the Contractors’ Association of Truckee-Tahoe (CATT) can help residents find professional, licensed contractors. Residents can also verify contractor license information through the California State License Board to verify a contractor's license and insurance status.
Starting the Permit Process:
- Walk-ins are welcome from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays, at the CDA Lobby within the Eric Rood Administrative Center (950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City).
- Appointments are encouraged. Book an appointment online or call (530) 265-1222.
- Apply and review your permit online through CDA’s online permit portal (Accela).
Business Resources
The Nevada County Economic Development Office is available to help navigate local, state, and federal government resources for businesses impacted by the 2023 Winter Storm.
- Please report winter storm losses through our Business Impact Survey.
Local Resources
- Nevada County Economic Development Office. Contact Kimberly Parker (530) 470-2795 or kimberly.parker@nevadacountyca.gov
- Nevada County Economic Resource Council. Contact Gil Mathew at (530) 263-0730 or gil@ncerc.org
- Small Business Development Center. Contact Jess Carr or Leslie Williams at (530) 582-5022 or info@sierrasbdc.com
For businesses within the city limits of Grass Valley, Nevada City, or Truckee, please connect with city-specific resources regarding your building permitting needs.
State and Federal Resources
Individual Resources
Employment Development Department (EDD) Disaster-Related Services
- If you are out of work or have had your hours reduced, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits: Disaster Unemployment Insurance
CalFresh Replacement Benefits
If you receive CalFresh benefits and have lost food due to power outages during the recent storms, you can apply for replacement benefits. Claims must be submitted by March 30th, 2023.
To request replacement benefits:
- Call Eligibility at 530-265-1340 to complete and e-sign your claim form.
- Come into any Nevada County Social Services office to complete your form in person
- Email Nevada County Social Services at cfmc@nevadacountyca.gov
CalOES Disaster Recovery Resources
- Federal, state, and local resources are available to help disaster survivors and their families: Disaster Recovery Resource Guide - English and Disaster Recovery Resource Guide - Spanish
Business Resources
Employment Development Department (EDD) Disaster-Related Services
- To request up to a two-month extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit payroll taxes without penalty or interest: Emergency and Disaster Assistance for Employers
GO-Biz Community and Place-Based Solutions
California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
- For assistance in identifying and applying for FEMA and SBA disaster assistance: Small Business Centers | California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
- Directory of other disaster resources: Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency
- Self-guided business continuity training: Outsmart Disaster
California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank)
The Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP) works with local lenders to guarantee up to 95 percent of relief loans for disaster-impacted small businesses of 1-750 employees.
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
CDTFA offers tax/fee relief in case of state or federal disaster declarations: small business owners who have been affected by flooding, power outages, and other storm-related hardships may request up to an additional three months to file their tax returns. Taxpayers who face return deadlines between January 4, 2023 and January 31, 2023 who are granted relief will not have to pay interest and penalties if they are unable to file their returns and pay taxes and fees by the original due date. The CDTFA is also the agency to contact for lost tax records.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The IRS has extended federal tax filing and payment deadlines for California storm victims to May 15, 2023, for individual and business tax returns.
California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund
The League of California Community Foundations and Philanthropy California direct monetary donations to the California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund, which deploys resources to impacted communities through community foundations.