Feb/Mar 2023 Winter Storm Recovery Resources

The County of Nevada is in the process of gathering damage information so that we can assess and advocate for additional aid to be made available for individuals and businesses. It is a two-to-three-week process before FEMA notifies Nevada County if individual assistance will be available. If you've had individual damages, contact your insurance company first and document the damage and losses. 

We also ask that residents fill out our Storm Survey, so that we can gather information to substantiate impacts. Please note that the survey is not an application for assistance. Survey data will be kept private and only shared with state and federal recovery agencies 

Report Major Residential Damage to OES

Nevada County is seeking information about damage to your primary residence from the February 24th winter storm in order to qualify residents for FEMA’s individual assistance program. To do so, the County must demonstrate to FEMA that a significant number of local residents suffered major losses related to the storm.

How FEMA Defines a 'Major Loss'

The definition of a major loss includes:

  • The home is the primary residence.
  • The home sustained major structural damage to the living space. This would be defined as 40% or more in damages to the primary residence, reflected by the dollar value of the home. For example, a $100,000 home with $40,000 in damages would apply. 
  • The damage occurred on or after February 24th of this year.
  • Not included in this response: Vacation homes, damage to fences, decks, carports, downed trees, landscaping, garages

Next Steps for Homeowners

To make our case to FEMA, we would like to hear from those whose primary residences meet the 'major loss' criteria listed above. Please email the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services at OES@nevadacountyca.gov and include the following details:

  • Name
  • Home address
  • Phone number
  • A description of the damages
  • Photos of the damage

PLEASE NOTE: This is a fact-finding effort only. Your submission of damage information does not guarantee disaster-related services. Your submitted information will be shared with State and Federal recovery partners.

Potential Benefits to Homeowners

FEMA's Individuals & Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster; it is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts. IHP Assistance is not considered income or a resource when determining eligibility for welfare, income assistance, or income-tested benefit programs that the federal government funds, such as Social Security benefits or disability income. IHP Assistance is also exempt from garnishment or seizure, but this exception does not apply to FEMA recovering assistance received in error or fraud.

Download the FEMA Individual Assistance Program Fact Sheet for more information.

The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County, in partnership with the County of Nevada Office of Emergency Services and CAL FIRE, are hosting FREE self-service green waste disposal, and wood chip pick-up. As storm recovery continues, residents are encouraged to take advantage of this popular program. Defensible space guidance can be found at www.areyoufiresafe.com/ready/defensible-space.

Green Waste Disposal Dates
Green Waste disposal will take place from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on the following dates:

April 9, 10, 23, 24
May 14, 15, 28, 29
June 11, 12, 25, 26

Location
12625 Brunswick Rd
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Acceptable green waste: biomass consisting of all tree and plant trimmings, weeds, leaves, branches, and pine needles. 

Unacceptable items: Scotch broom, poison oak, Himalayan blackberry, items with a diameter greater than 28 inches, tree stumps, and root balls. Absolutely no household waste or trash.

This is a community-wide effort. Please monitor what is being loaded for drop-off and be willing to share your Nevada County residential address.

Property Tax Relief

If your property was damaged due to the storm, you may be able to get a reassessment due to misfortune or calamity. Read more: Property Tax Relief as a Result of Storm Damage.

Building Permit Fee Waivers

Residents and business owners with storm damage repairs in unincorporated Nevada County will receive priority permitting and have local fees waived for repair permits through the Nevada County Community Development Agency (CDA) for repairs following the February 24, 2023, winter storm. 

The Nevada County Contractors’ Association (NCCA) or the Contractors’ Association of Truckee-Tahoe (CATT) can help residents find professional, licensed contractors. Residents can also verify contractor license information through the California State License Board to verify a contractor's license and insurance status.

Starting the Permit Process:

  • Walk-ins are welcome from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays, at the CDA Lobby within the Eric Rood Administrative Center (950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City).
  • Appointments are encouraged. Book an appointment online or call (530) 265-1222.
  • Apply and review your permit online through CDA’s online permit portal (Accela).

Business Resources

The Nevada County Economic Development Office is available to help navigate local, state, and federal government resources for businesses impacted by the 2023 Winter Storm. 

Local Resources 

  • Nevada County Economic Development Office. Contact Kimberly Parker (530) 470-2795 or kimberly.parker@nevadacountyca.gov
  • Nevada County Economic Resource Council. Contact Gil Mathew at (530) 263-0730 or gil@ncerc.org  
  • Small Business Development Center. Contact Jess Carr or Leslie Williams at (530) 582-5022 or info@sierrasbdc.com  

 For businesses within the city limits of Grass Valley, Nevada City, or Truckee, please connect with city-specific resources regarding your building permitting needs.  

State and Federal Resources

Individual Resources

Employment Development Department (EDD) Disaster-Related Services

CalFresh Replacement Benefits
If you receive CalFresh benefits and have lost food due to power outages during the recent storms, you can apply for replacement benefits. Claims must be submitted by March 30th, 2023. 

To request replacement benefits:

CalOES Disaster Recovery Resources

Business Resources

Employment Development Department (EDD) Disaster-Related Services

GO-Biz Community and Place-Based Solutions

California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (iBank)

The Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP) works with local lenders to guarantee up to 95 percent of relief loans for disaster-impacted small businesses of 1-750 employees.

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)

CDTFA offers tax/fee relief in case of state or federal disaster declarations: small business owners who have been affected by flooding, power outages, and other storm-related hardships may request up to an additional three months to file their tax returns. Taxpayers who face return deadlines between January 4, 2023 and January 31, 2023 who are granted relief will not have to pay interest and penalties if they are unable to file their returns and pay taxes and fees by the original due date. The CDTFA is also the agency to contact for lost tax records. 

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS has extended federal tax filing and payment deadlines for California storm victims to May 15, 2023, for individual and business tax returns. 

California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund

The League of California Community Foundations and Philanthropy California direct monetary donations to the California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund, which deploys resources to impacted communities through community foundations.