Inyo County News Feeds
For additional information and resources visit:
Inyo County Public Health
Inyo County Emergency Preparedness
Inyo County Office of Emergency Services
Public Safety Power Shutoff
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is an event that electricity provider proactively turn off power in high fire risk areas to reduce the threat of wildfires. PSPS events are one of the ways better ensure the safety of the public. For information, please visit SoCal Edison’s Public Safety Event page.
First 5 Care, Cope, Connect - Resource for Children
A resource is now available to help the growing number of families in California tackling heightened community stress. The Care, Cope, Connect resource, created by Sesame Street in Communities in collaboration with the First 5 Association of California, helps parents cope with stress and provide safety and security for their children. Visit http://first5association.org/care-cope-connect/ for information and to download the coloring book (available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean) for children.
Resources for Public Health Alerts
California is responding to the spread of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Cases of COVID-19 are also being reported internationally and in the United States. California is actively working with the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local governments, health facilities, and health care providers across the state to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19.
Visit cdph.ca.gov for more information and updates regarding COVID-19.
The CDC is responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
For resources and updates regarding COVID-19, visit cdc.gov/covid19.
Resources for Wildfires
How to Stay Safe During a Wildfire
Wildfires can ruin homes and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest. Wildfires can:
- Often be caused by humans or lightning.
- Cause flooding or disrupt transportation, gas, power, and communications.
- Happen anywhere, anytime. Risk increases with in periods of little rain and high winds.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WILDFIRE WARNING, GET TO SAFETY RIGHT AWAY
- Leave if told to do so.
- If trapped, call 9-1-1.
- Listen for emergency information and alerts.
- Use N95 masks to keep particles out of the air you breathe.
- Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
- Know your community’s evacuation plans and find several ways to leave the area. Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations. Have a plan for pets and livestock.
- Gather emergency supplies, including N95 respirator masks that filter out particles in the air you breathe. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including and updated asthma action plan and medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
- Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
- Keep important documents in a fireproof, safe place. Create password-protected digital copies.
- Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.
- Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
- Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
- Review insurance coverage to make sure it is enough to replace your property.
- Pay attention to air quality alerts.
- Evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to do so.
- If trapped, then call 911 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
- Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, and local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
- Use an N95 masks to keep harmful particles out of the air you breathe.
- If you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, stay inside in a safe location or go to a community building where smoke levels are lower.
- Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return, and whether water is safe to drink.
- Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock.
- Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
- Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
- Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
- Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mudflows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire. Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect the life you’ve built and to assure financial protection from future flooding.
For additional information and resources, visit ready.gov/wildfires.
Safety Information for Those Returning Home After a Wildfire
Safety Information for those returning home after a wildfire is available at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/After-a-Wildfire/
California Wildfire Helping Handbook
The Fall 2018 California Wildfires Helping Handbook provides practical information for individuals, families, and small businesses on subjects including housing, government benefits, insurance, FEMA assistance, replacement of lost documents, and fraud prevention.
FEMA Assistance
If you are impacted by a wildfire that is declared a Major Disaster by FEMA, you can register for FEMA assistance by visiting: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362. The number for speech and hearing impaired individuals is 800-462-7585.
When you apply for the FEMA Aid, please have the following information ready:
- Social Security number
- Address of the damaged home or apartment
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- Telephone number
- Mailing address
- Bank account & routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Please see image below for general instructions and items needed:
Wildfire survivors who applied for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and received a letter or text message saying they are ineligible for disaster assistance, should know this first communication may not be the last word.
Very often ineligibility can be resolved quickly. In fact, the most common reasons for this determination are:
- The application may be incomplete. More information or documentation is needed;
- The applicant did not sign the required documents;
- The applicant did not prove occupancy or ownership;
- The damage is to a secondary home or a rental property – not a primary residence;
- Someone else in the household has applied for and received assistance;
- A letter of determination, or other information, may be needed from an insurance company, or
- The applicant may have adequate insurance coverage. If a survivor has insurance, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments. However, under-insured applicants may receive further assistance for unmet needs after insurance claims have been settled.
Often, the problem of missing information can be fixed online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Multi-lingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST). Survivors may check the status of their applications or update their contact information at these same numbers.
Applicants ineligible for FEMA grants may still be eligible for other programs, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Applicants may be referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. SBA disaster loans can help fund repair or replacement costs not covered by insurance or other sources.
Applicants may apply online at SBA.gov/disaster or, for more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955.
If FEMA Turned You Down, You Have a Right to Appeal
If you got a letter, email or text from the Federal Emergency Management Agency declining your application for assistance and you disagree with FEMA’s determination, you have the right to appeal. Often, determinations of ineligibility arise from a lack of sufficient documentation. Your application might need an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property and proof that the damaged property was your
primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Supporting documents may include, but are not limited to, the following:
▪ Landlord’s statements
▪ Merchandise or provider receipts
▪ Service or repair receipts/statements. Each must include an estimate
breakdown, contact information, measurements, etc.
▪ School/employer statement (for loss of essential tools)
• Insurance: If your coverage is not enough to make essential home repairs, pay for a place to stay or replace personal items, FEMA may reconsider your
application. But you must provide documents from your insurance company that detail any settlement. Remember that FEMA cannot duplicate homeowner or renter insurance benefits.
• Occupancy: If you’re a homeowner or renter, FEMA may reconsider you for grants if you provide documents that prove the damaged structure was your
primary residence. FEMA needs to see your utility bills, driver’s license or a copy of your lease or rental agreement. You cannot receive federal disaster assistance for secondary or vacation homes.
• Ownership: Documents you can submit to prove ownership may include mortgage or insurance documents, tax receipts or a deed. If you feel FEMA’s decision or the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, you may submit an appeal letter and any documents needed to support your claim. All appeals must be filed in writing. You should explain why you think the decision is incorrect. When submitting your letter, please include:
▪ Applicant’s full name
▪ Date and place of birth
▪ Address of the damaged dwelling
▪ Your FEMA registration number on all pages
▪ The FEMA disaster declaration number – DR-4393-NC on all pages
▪The signature of the applicant
▪ The date
Your letter must be either notarized – if you choose this option, please include a copy of a state-issued identification card – or include the following statement: “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” You must sign the letter. If someone other than you is writing the letter, there must be a signed statement from you affirming that the person may act on your behalf. You should keep a copy of the appeal for your records.
To file an appeal, letters must be postmarked, received by fax, or personally submitted at a disaster recovery center within 60 days of the date you received the FEMA determination letter.
By mail:
FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
If you prefer to go through the appeal process electronically, open a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) account at www.disasterassistance.gov. Once your account is open, you can update your current contact information, upload your appeal documents, and review letters from FEMA. When you upload the required documents to your DAC account, an appeal packet is automatically created which can then be submitted for review.
If you have questions, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. Those who use TTY may call 800-462-7585. Operators are available from 7 am to 10 pm local time seven days a week.
A FEMA home inspection is a part of the process for verifying damage and loss and helps determine the assistance options available for survivors. Click here for the FEMA’s Fact Sheet on Housing Inspections with information/requirements.
Housing Related Resources
- California Department of Insurance (DOI) Wildfire Information
You can contact the Department of Insurance for general information and guidance about insurance claims by calling (800) 927-HELP (4357); TDD: (800) 482-4833 or visit http://www.insurance.ca.gov.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims Section 203(h) program allows the FHA to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. For details, visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/ins/203h-dft
Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages:
- Homeowners impacted by major disasters are eligible to stop making mortgage payments for up to 12 months, during which time they:
– will not incur late fees during this temporary payment break
– will not have delinquencies reported to the credit bureaus - Servicers are authorized to suspend or reduce a homeowner’s mortgage payments immediately for up to 90 days without any contact with the homeowner if the servicer believes the homeowner has been affected by a disaster. Payment forbearance of up to 12 months is available in many circumstances.
- Servicers must suspend foreclosure and other legal proceedings if the servicer believes the homeowner has been impacted by a disaster.
Homeowners can reach out to Fannie Mae directly by calling 800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643). For more information, please visit www.knowyouroptions.com/relief.
Documents Replacement
- California Driver’s License (800) 777-0133
Visit a California DMV office to complete an application. Replacement license forms must be delivered in person. - Green cards (800) 375-5283
Website: uscis.gov - Medicare cards (800) 772-1213; TTY: (800) 325-0778
Website: ssa.gov/medicare - Military records (866) 272-6272
Website: https://www.archives.gov - Passport (877) 487-2778; TTY: (888) 874-7793
Website: https://www.travel.state.gov - Social Security card (800) 772-1213; TTY: (800) 325-0778
Website: https://www.ssa.gov - Savings Bonds (844) 284-2676
Website: https://www.treasurydirect.gov - Tax returns (800) 908-9946
Website: Tips to Help Tax Payers - Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, and Divorce Decrees
For more information on ordering replacement vital records, visit https://www.inyocounty.us/services/clerk-recorder - Registration and Certificate of Title (Cars, Boats, and Vessels)
Registration: Call (800) 777-0133 (TTY (800) 368-4327) during regular business hours or visit your local DMV field office and identify yourself as a disaster victim.Replacement certificate of title: Must complete an Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title REG 227. Application is available at your local DMV office or online here. Attach the damaged title if mutilated, and, unless waived due to the disaster, pay the duplicate title fee of $20.00 ($15.00 for boats and other vessels).
Submit the application either in person at your local DMV office or mail it to:
DOCUMENT & RECORD REPLACEMENT
60 Current as of November 20, 2018
Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
P.O. Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001
Disaster Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organization, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Visit the Disaster Recovery Center, call (800) 659-2955, or visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela for assistance. Applicants MUST register with FEMA first before contacting SBA for assistance.
Types of Disaster Loans available:
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.
- Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
WHY YOU SHOULD RETURN THE SBA DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION
Not returning the loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration may be saying no to potential federal assistance.
Some may be counting on a future insurance settlement to cover all the costs of rebuilding. Maybe they don’t want a disaster loan or fear they can’t afford one. Or maybe they don’t know how to get help with the paperwork the SBA sent them.
But there are good reasons to submit a completed SBA loan application by the deadline.
SBA offers the disaster loans to disaster-affected homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations in the counties with a federal disaster designation for Individual Assistance.
Some of the top reasons for submitting an SBA application by the deadline include:
- A future insurance settlement may fall short. You may find out that you were underinsured for the amount of work it takes to repair or replace a damaged home. An SBA low-interest loan can cover the uninsured costs. By submitting the loan application on time, you may have loan money available when it is needed. SBA can approve a loan for the repair or replacement of your home up to $200,000. Once your insurance settles, you may apply those funds to your disaster loan. However, the opportunity for an SBA disaster loan may be lost if you wait until after the application deadline.
- SBA can work with a homeowner to shape a loan that fits your personal budget. If you already have a mortgage on the damaged property, SBA specialists can work with you to come up with a low-interest loan package you can afford. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage when the applicant may not qualify for a loan from commercial lenders, has suffered substantial uninsured or underinsured damage and intends to repair the property.
- SBA can help renters replace their essential items. Renters, as well as homeowners, may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
- By submitting your SBA loan application, you keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. If SBA does not approve a loan – or approves a small loan that doesn’t cover all of your needs – you may be referred to other programs that can provide grants to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or cover storage expenses, among other serious disaster-related needs. But if you do not submit the loan application you received from SBA, the assistance process may stop.
For more information, homeowners and renters may call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 TTY) or visit https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/
Homeowners and renters may visit SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply online for disaster loans.
Remember to register with FEMA first; call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for the deaf or hard of hearing. Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
For more information, view or print the SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet.
Tax Assistance
FRANCHISE TAX BOARD (FTB) DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES
The California Franchise Tax Board has information to help disaster survivors understand the tax relief to which they may be entitled.
Disaster Loss: How to Claim a State Tax Deduction
Understanding Tax Relief for Disasters
Benefits Assistance
Disaster CalFresh (D-CalFresh), federally known as the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), is a way to meet the temporary nutritional needs of disaster victims within a 30-day period, following a natural disaster such as a flood, fire, earthquake or any other natural disaster. D-CalFresh provides a month’s worth of benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card which can be used to purchase food at authorized retail stores. D-CalFresh is only available when all of the following elements occur:
- A Presidential Declaration for Individual Assistance has been declared in the affected area;
- Commercial channels of food distribution have been disrupted and those commercial channels have been restored; and
- The State of California has been approved to operate a D-CalFresh program.
The 58 County Welfare Departments (CWDs) administer CalFresh and in the event of a disaster administers D-CalFresh. The affected county is responsible for submitting an application request to implement a D-CalFresh or program waivers, whichever is the most appropriate response, to CDSS for review. CDSS will forward the application request to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for final approval.
If you are a current CalFresh recipient affected by the disaster and you meet the household eligibility requirements listed below, please contact your local County Welfare Department for additional information on how to request supplemental disaster benefits.
If you are a new applicant affected by the disaster, meet the household eligibility requirements listed below, and you would like to apply for D-CalFresh, you can apply in person at your local County Welfare Department or other designated D-CalFresh application site.
In order to qualify for a temporary disaster benefit all disaster victims must meet the household eligibility requirements listed below.
Household Eligibility Requirements under D-CalFresh
Residency
- The household must have lived in the disaster area at the time of the disaster.
- In some cases, D-CalFresh approvals may include eligibility for people who worked in the disaster area.
Purchase of Food
- To be eligible, households must plan on purchasing food during the disaster benefit period.
Adverse Effect
- The household must have experienced one of the following adverse actions:
- Damage to home or self-employment property
- Disaster-related expenses
- A disruption in income
- Inaccessible liquid resources
- In some cases, D-CalFresh approvals may include eligibility for households that lost food, but had no other disaster-related expenses.
Income and Resources
- Modified Categorical Eligibility (MCE), in the regular CalFresh program, wherein the CalFresh households resources are excluded when determining CalFresh eligibility does not apply in the D-CalFresh program. Income and resources must be counted in order to determine eligibility in the D-CalFresh program for households who have suffered a disaster loss.
Note: The total net (take-home) income received during the benefit period plus accessible liquid resources, minus eligible disaster-related expenses, shall not exceed the disaster gross income limit. View the disaster gross income limits for the period of 10/01/19 – 09/30/20.
For more information, visit: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh/disaster-calfresh
Health & Mental Health Related Resources
The Disaster Distress Line provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Covers topics such as stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms related to a disaster.
Call 800-985-5990 (English and Spanish) or text TalkWithUs (Hablanos for Spanish) to 66746 to connect with a counselor. Available 24/7.
Uninsured survivors of Wildfires may be eligible for free prescription refills, vaccines, and medical supplies.
· Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), has been launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
· A contractor administers this program on behalf of HHS and will immediately begin taking claims for prescription drugs, vaccines, specific medical supplies and limited durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators.
· The program pays for a 30-day supply of prescription medications for people without health insurance who are affected by disasters. Most pharmacies in Trinity county participate in EPAP. You must provide proof of a new or existing prescription.
· If you need replacement durable medical equipment, medical supplies, or vaccinations that do not usually require a prescription, ask your healthcare provider to contact the pharmacy. All prescriptions processed through EPAP are free of charge.
· To find a participating pharmacy online, visit https://go.usa.gov/xPUGC and call the pharmacy listed for your ZIP code to confirm it is open.
· If you have questions about EPAP, call 855-793-7470 or visit https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/
Legal Assistance
The State Bar of California is warning the public to watch out for and report potential fraud in response to the recent fires across the state. As a result of California’s ongoing fires, many people may wish to seek legal advice for various reasons, including insurance disputes, seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance, employment issues, landlord tenant disputes, consumer fraud, and more.
Some important things to know when seeking legal aid after a disaster is that California law prohibits lawyers or others acting on behalf of a lawyer from:
- Soliciting clients at an accident scene, at a hospital, or on the way to a hospital
- Soliciting clients who, due to their physical, emotional or mental state, may not be able to have reasonable judgment about the hiring of an attorney
- Seeking clients by mail unless the letter and envelope are clearly labeled as an advertisement
- Promising a particular outcome from the legal representation
In the wake of the fires, there is also the risk of victims being approached in person, by mail, email or other means, by people posing as attorneys. Consumers must carefully check that people offering legal services are legitimate and licensed to provide such services.
Before hiring an attorney, Californians should check the State Bar website for the status of an attorney’s license to practice law and whether they have any record of discipline.
State Bar’s additional resources for consumers:
Donations & Volunteer Opportunities
Resources for Earthquakes
If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away.
- If you are in a vehicle, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
- If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
- Do not get in a doorway.
- Do not run outside.
Stay Safe During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Drop: Drop wherever you are on to your hands and knees. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.
Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows). Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organs.
Hold on: If you are under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If you can’t find a table or desk, cover your head and neck with both arms and hands. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.
For more information and resources, visit ready.gov/earthquakes.
Resources for Incidents of Violence
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
The Disaster Distress Line provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Covers topics such as stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms related to a disaster.
Call (800) 985-5990 (English and Spanish) or text TalkWithUs (Hablanos for Spanish) to 66746 to connect with a counselor. Available 24/7.
SAMHSA also has a publication “Coping With Grief After Community Violence” available to download online at https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Coping-With-Grief-After-Community-Violence/SMA14-4888
- Call The Veterans Crisis Line (800) 273-8255, select option 1, chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or send a Text message to 838255 for assistance
- Coping With Grief After Community Violence Tips for Survivors from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after Mass Violence from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (Spanish version is available here)