County seeking state aid for storm damage

Sonoma County is asking for state assistance after last week’s storm racked up an estimated $17 million in damage, with most of the destruction in Healdsburg. The city has $15 million in damage, officials said.

Heavy rainfall boosted much-needed water supplies in the county’s reservoirs and streams, but also flooded some waterways, roads, homes and businesses. The rains caused widespread power failures and damaged infrastructure, said Rebecca Waschberg, a county spokeswoman.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday officially proclaimed a local emergency, allowing the county to apply for funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act. Gov. Jerry Brown can then ask federal emergency officials for additional funding for repairs. If approved, money would be allocated for public infrastructure, and could be available for residential and business repairs.

“We are going to make every effort to request assistance,” Waschberg said. “We’re looking for state funding, and then the governor could bump it up.”

The board also voted to waive all permitting fees for residential and business repairs from storm-related damages through April 2015. It is unclear when state or federal disaster aid would become available. County officials said Wednesday they were still surveying the storm’s damage.

Rainfall in Santa Rosa was at 17.88 inches by 4 p.m. Wednesday, up from 2 inches total last year at this time. Cazadero, Guerneville and Cloverdale have received the most rain, with totals at 29.66 inches, 24.32 inches and 24.30 inches, respectively.

You can reach Staff Writer Angela Hart at 526-8503 or angela.hart@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ahartreports.