US Department of Labor provides grant to assist tsunami recovery efforts along northern California coast

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $6,498,100 National Emergency Grant to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami waves that struck California's Crescent City in Del Norte County and coastal areas of Santa Cruz County on March 11, following the magnitude-9 earthquake in Japan.

"In the blink of an eye, natural disasters can overtake entire communities, causing death as well as destruction to both property and livelihoods," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The tsunami wave surge brought serious damage to ports and coastal areas in Northern California. The people who live there deserve our support as they rebuild. Through today's grant, my department offers help in the form of funding for temporary jobs."

Awarded to the California Employment Development Department, the funds will be used to create temporary jobs to assist in the recovery efforts.

On April 18, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared Del Norte and Santa Cruz counties as eligible for FEMA's Public Assistance Program.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.