County Provides Financial Assistance To 1,700 Affected By Winter Storm

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — More than $812,000 was distributed from Sonoma County's Immediate Needs Fund to those most impacted by the winter storms last winter, according to a report presented this week to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

“Disasters — whether they come as floods, fires or pandemics — always lay their heaviest impacts on the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Last winter’s storms caused widespread economic hardship in our county, and our emergency financial assistance fund helped hundreds of families feel a little more secure during that difficult time.”

In total, more than 1,700 people received financial assistance to keep them housed, make up for wage loss, prevent food insecurity and help pay for alternative housing for those who needed evacuation, county officials said in a news release.

Assessments to categorize needs and distribution amounts were done at recovery support centers. following the storms. The recovery support centers, as well as distribution sites, were set up in Healdsburg, Guerneville and Santa Rosa, and were later expanded to Petaluma and Sonoma.

Staff even visited some people at home if they were not able to travel for medical reasons, county officials said.

Those requesting funds were categorized into groups depending on severity and eligibility, and funds were distributed in the range of $250 to $800.

During the initial response, financial support went out to 1,097 individuals including roughly 600 who work in agriculture, fishing and/or forestry, 100 who work in restaurants, 100 in construction, and others who are engaged in domestic work, building maintenance and other areas.

Residents from more than 30 ZIP codes around Sonoma County received assistance. The criteria included lost jobs or income due to the storms, damage to residences, and the need for food replacement due to power outages or other storm impacts.

County Partners With Community Organizations To Reach Those In Need

After an initial round of financial assistance through the "$2 million Immediate Needs Fund" set up by the Board of Supervisors, the county then partnered with Petaluma People Services Center, which distributed a total of $96,140 in additional county funds to storm victims — including $70,000 in rental assistance, $17,400 for food and $8,740 in indirect expenses.

The county also distributed $62,963 through the Sonoma County Grape Grower’s Foundation for workers who experienced losses during the storms. The foundation provided a funding match of $30,800; combined with the county funds, the foundation was able to purchase $89,000 worth of $250 gift cards that were then distributed to 356 people.

Nearly $1.19M Set Asisde For Next Disaster

The county has nearly $1.19 million remaining in its "Immediate Needs Fund" and is seeking to contract with community-based organizations that can be ready to issue financial assistance, in partnership with the county, during a future disaster. A request for proposals — RFP — will be issued by the county so that interested organizations may come forward.