President Barack Obama today declared a major disaster in California due to a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Napa County on Aug. 24th, according to White House officials.
The declaration will make federal funding available to state, local and tribal governments in Napa and Solano counties and some private nonprofits for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the quake.
Federal funding is also available statewide for hazard mitigation measures, officials said.
While no final estimate of the quake’s economic impact has been made yet, Gov. Jerry Brown estimated around $87 million in costs so far that are eligible for federal reimbursement in a letter written earlier this month requesting federal aid.
The quake damaged more than 1,000 buildings and more than 100 water lines in the city of Napa alone, according to city officials.
The Napa Valley wine industry suffered more than $80 million in damage, and officials have estimated $400 million in damage in Napa County, according to county reports.
One Napa woman, Laurie Anne Thompson, 65, died Friday of a head injury she suffered when she was struck by a television in her home during the quake.
Three others were reported critically injured after the quake, including one juvenile.
More than 280 people sustained injuries in the earthquake, according to the governor’s office.
Bay City News
