Jan 14 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for California on Saturday, after storms that pounded the Golden State since Dec. 26 killed at least 19 people and brought floods, power outages, mudslides, evacuations and road closures.
Biden ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the storms, the White House said in a statement.
[1/5] The San Lorenzo River rises with emergency evacuation orders in Felton Grove, California, U.S., January 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Swanson
The president’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties, it said.
Biden also approved an emergency declaration for Alabama on Sunday after at least nine people died in tornadoes that destroyed homes and knocked out power to tens of thousands in the southeastern United States.
At least five tornadoes touched down in central Alabama on Thursday, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jessica Laws. Biden’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Autauga and Dallas counties.
Reporting by Rhea Binoy in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard
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