US Department of Labor announces up to $36M to help recovery, clean-up efforts after severe storms batter northern California

WASHINGTON – Northern California paid a hefty toll for storms that brought heavy rain and snow in January 2017. The overabundance of moisture led to flooding and mudslides, the downing of large numbers of trees and power lines, and mass evacuations.

The harsh weather also caused the region’s Lake Oroville to rise above flood levels, damaging the spillway of the nation’s tallest dam and leading to the evacuation of more than 180,000 residents. Roads, public parks and other infrastructure also suffered severe and extensive damage.

To assist recovery and clean-up, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it would provide a National Dislocated Worker Grant for up $36 million – with an initial $12 million release today – to the California Employment Development Department. The funds will create temporary jobs for about 1,800 individuals to assist in the effort.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency made three major disaster declarations following the storms that began Jan. 3 and continued through Jan. 12, 2017. This grant will provide assistance to support recovery and clean-up efforts in the following 34 counties:

The grant’s funds will provide temporary employment on projects to assist with clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within the affected communities. They will also support delivery of humanitarian aid and safety assistance as needed.

The NDWG program provides resources to states and other eligible applicants to respond to large, unexpected events causing significant job losses. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the secretary of labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.