Press Releases

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) is urging President Biden to approve California Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration, which would unlock additional federal storm aid for Central Coast communities impacted by recent winter storms, flooding, and other extreme weather.

The federal disaster declaration requested by Governor Newsom would provide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to help repair damages from storms, flooding, landslides, mudslides, and tornadoes that occurred between January 31 and February 9, 2024 in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and other select California counties.

“I am grateful for the swift support your Administration has afforded to our region in the wake of the severe winter storms. However, public assistance is necessary to help the region recover,” Rep. Carbajal wrote to President Biden.

In his letter, Rep. Carbajal detailed the damage seen across the Central Coast: “In the City of San Luis Obispo, the storm caused severe damage to eight steel firehouse rollup bay doors. In Santa Barbara County, the County experienced severe cold temperatures, snow in higher elevations, flooding, among other extreme weather. At the San Marcos Pass, Santa Barbara County rainfall gauges measured nine inches of rain and four inches of rain in the City of Santa Barbara within a 24-hour period. This prompted Santa Barbara County to issue a flash flood warning. Additionally, Mission Canyon and Mission Creek experienced severe erosion, causing retaining walls to collapse. In Ventura County, residents also experienced extensive flooding. This led to serious damage to our roadways, bridges, and other water infrastructure. Mudslides blocked State Route 33 in the Los Padres National Forest.”

The major disaster declaration requested of President Biden would unlock Public Assistance from FEMA for state, local, and tribal governments to support debris removal, emergency protective measures, and other emergency infrastructure and work measures on the Central Coast and elsewhere in California. 

The full text of his letter to President Biden can be found here.

Rep. Carbajal helped petition the Biden Administration to unlock federal aid for communities impacted by repeated atmospheric rivers and extreme weather last winter.