FEMA administrator tours Valley Fire damage

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. (KTVU) – FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate toured the damage from the Valley Fire on Wednesday and said immediate assistance is available for uninsured victims.

Fugate walked through the destruction in Middletown with Director of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Mark Ghilarducci.

Each spoke at a media conference on Wednesday afternoon to talk about recovery efforts and federal aid.

“It will take time, it will take patience and it will take effort,” Ghilarducci said.

At the request of Governor Jerry Brown, President Obama signed a disaster declaration for Lake County. He ordered federal aid to supplement the state and local recovery efforts affected by the Valley Fire.

Fugate said federal assistance is available immediately for the uninsured and can include money for temporary housing and low-cost loans. He said if requested by the state, FEMA may also bring in mobile homes for the homeless.

“We can put money in accounts in less than a day, but it does mean they need to register with us so we can start the process,” Fugate said.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov