The storms that hit our community earlier this year were truly devastating, causing mass flooding across the region and putting Valley families, farmers, and small businesses in an incredibly difficult situation. As we continue to recover and rebuild from the damage, it is important that we stay prepared, as more flooding in the Central Valley is likely due to the record amount of snowpack.

According to a survey conducted by the California Department of Water Resources, the statewide snowpack this year is 254% higher than normal – equating to roughly 50 inches of excess water once it melts. As we get closer to the summer and temperatures begin to rise, the snow melt could pose a serious risk to the Valley.

Congress must do all we can to prepare for this inevitable challenge and reduce the impact of the potential flooding as much as possible. Since the initial storms and flooding began, I have been working with FEMA, the Governor’s Office, and our county supervisors to secure disaster relief funding and ensure our community is prepared for the spring and summer months. 

In the coming weeks, I’ll be hosting a Tele-Town Hall to discuss federal disaster relief options for those impacted by flooding and California’s storm response. Make sure to sign up for the call below.

Sign up to get updates on my Tele-Town Hall here.

You can find a list of resources below to help you prepare for flooding in the region:

Flooding can often happen quickly with little warning. It is important to have a plan ready for if and when flooding comes to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. Here are some tips from FEMA to help you be better prepared for flooding:

• Sign up for/monitor weather alerts and warnings on your phone or mobile device  
  • Kern County
  • Kings County
  • Tulare County 
• Move to higher ground when flood warnings are issued
• Stay aware of your surroundings
• Follow any evacuation order issued by local, state, or federal authorities
• Never walk or drive through floodwater
• Create a plan to stay safe with family, friends, and neighbors
• Shore up your property and reduce the risk of flood damage:

Red Cross Flood Preparedness Checklist (English)

Red Cross Flood Preparedness Checklist (Spanish)

  Sand Bag Distribution 

• Sandbag distribution locations (Kern County)
• Sandbag distribution locations (Kings County)
• Sandbag distribution locations (Tulare County)  

Check Road Conditions 

Stay up to date on road conditions and closures: 

• Check current highway conditions
• Call the Caltrans Highway Information Network at (800) 427-7623 for up-to-the-minute information on California highway conditions

FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the Central Valley to help those who have been impacted by recent storms navigate federal disaster relief programs. Disaster Centers can be found at: 

Farmersville Training Center

907 W. Visalia Road

Farmersville, CA 93223

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Lake Isabella (Kern River Valley) Senior Center

6405 Lake Isabella Blvd

Lake Isabella, CA  93240

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday-Saturday

McFarland Recreation and Park District

Community Gymnasium

100 South Second Street

McFarland, CA 93250

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday-Saturday

The specialists at the Disaster Recovery Center will be able to help you:

• Apply for assistance. You may also Apply for FEMA Assistance online or Apply/Check your status by phone at 1-800-621-3362.
• Learn more about disaster assistance programs.
• Learn the status of your FEMA application.
• Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
• Find housing and rental assistance information.
• Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
• Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
• Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.

For more information, visit FEMA.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

Individuals and households who apply for FEMA assistance after a natural disaster will need to have their home inspected to verify the damages. To learn more about what to expect during your FEMA Home Inspection, click the link below: 

FEMA Home Inspection Fact Sheet 

FEMA Home Inspection Fact Sheet (Spanish) 

Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages. On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options.

Find Disaster Assistance Programs available to Agricultural producers here.

Crop Insurance

If you do not have crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage, consider these risk management options to help protect your operation.  

• For crop insurance, use the Agent Locator to find a crop insurance agent near you. USDA’s Risk Management Agency works closely with Approved Insurance Providers, who sell and service the policies that producers purchase, to ensure efficient loss adjustment and prompt claims payments.  
• For Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage, contact your USDA Service Center to obtain coverage.

Reporting Damage & Losses

If your operation was impacted by a natural disaster and you have an interest in participating in an available disaster assistance program, you should report losses and damages to the Farm Service Agency and/or your Approved Insurance Provider for crop insurance claims.

You can find more information about reporting damages here. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster assistance to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. Find out how to apply for an SBA Disaster Loan here.

Relief options available to small businesses

• Physical Damage Loans
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan  
• Mitigation Assistance Loans  

The SBA has set up an office in Visalia for in-person assistance with applying for disaster loans:

309 W Main St, Ste 110, Visalia, CA 93291

Hours: Mon-Fri 8a-5p

For more information:

• Visit Sba.gov/disaster
• Call 1-800-659-2955
• Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

IRS Guide for Business Owners Preparing for Natural Disasters

Small Business Administration (SBA) Guide for Dealing with Flooding – Before, During, and After

I will continue to monitor the ongoing snowmelt and coordinate with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure we are as prepared as possible. I’ll be posting regular flood resource updates on my website, which you can find here or by going to Valadao.house.gov/floodresources. 

My team is also here to help – if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact my office.

Don't forget to sign up for my upcoming Tele-Town Hall by clicking here. 

Make sure to follow my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with my work. You can also sign up for regular updates about my work in Congress by subscribing to my weekly newsletter here. 

Sincerely,