Napa County to vote on federal funds for quake

NAPA -- The Napa County Board of Supervisors is set to meet Thursday afternoon to hear about initial damage estimates from the recent earthquake and vote on a request for federal emergency money.

The board on Wednesday said it has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. the following day to receive initial damage estimates from the 6.0 magnitude quake between Napa and American Canyon at 3:20 a.m. Sunday and request a federal emergency declaration.

“We are doing what’s necessary to apply for federal assistance,” says Mark Luce, board chairman. "This will help some in need but will only be part of what is needed. We are looking for both government and nongovernment support to aid in our recovery."

Such nongovernmental help includes relief organizations and efforts such as Napa Valley Vintners' announcement Wednesday of a $10 million quake-recovery fund for local residents.

The declaration is a procedural move that starts the process for Napa County to be considered for federal programs such as low-interest loans for businesses with quake damage and aid to residents. Governor Brown and President Obama would have to act on that declaration.

The cities of Napa and Vallejo are among the local governments that have declared local emergencies. Napa's initial gross estimate of damage to privately owned structures, both homes and commercial properties in the city limits is $300 million, the city reported Wednesday. This doesn't include damage to public buildings or infrastructure, loss of business inventories or other economic losses such as to tourism. Insurance industry estimates put total losses at between $1 billion--$4 billion.

It is not known what portion of this damage will be eligible for reimbursement from government or other sources, according to the city of Napa.

The board meeting is set to be held at the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency located at 625 Burnell St. in Napa.

Staff in the Napa County Emergency Operations Center continue to assess damage to public facilities and infrastructure as well as privately owned homes and facilities in the unincorporated areas, according to the county.

Inspectors have completed 108 inspections to date. Of these, 16 were red-tagged as uninhabitable and 21 were yellow-tagged, meaning those who enter or stay in them need to be careful. The county said it continues to respond to requests for inspection and is compiling information on damages sustained countywide.

Napa city inspectors have completed the first round of building inspections, tagging 613 structures, officials reported Wednesday. About 500 are yellow-tagged, and 113 red-tagged.

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