Boxer, Feinstein, Thompson Seek Federal Help for Napa Quake
Senators and Congressman ask FEMA director to prepare for Governor’s disaster declaration
September 6, 2000

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and Representative Mike Thompson today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond quickly if and when California governor Gray Davis seeks federal assistance for victims of the recent Napa earthquake.

In a letter to FEMA Director James Lee Witt, the three California lawmakers said, “It is of fundamental importance to us that the people of Napa wait no longer than absolutely necessary for help in putting their lives and businesses back in order. It is important to note that many affected residents have limited resources and will have a difficult time recovering from this disaster without state and federal assistance.”

The September 3rd earthquake measured 5.2 on the Richter Scale and caused considerable damage, most notably centered around the city of Napa. County and city officials have requested the governor to declare the county a disaster area. The California Office of Emergency Services is reviewing this request, and Governor Davis may make a disaster declaration in a matter of days. If and when the governor makes this declaration, he will then need to determine whether state assistance alone will be adequate or whether federal assistance will be required.

Boxer, Feinstein, and Thompson told Witt, “We are very eager to see that Napa County receive the assistance it needs to recover from this earthquake. With this in mind, we ask that at such time as you receive a request from the governor for federal assistance that you be prepared to act quickly to review it so that you can make a more expeditious recommendation to the President.”