US President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One as he arrives at Osan Air Force Base in Pyeongtaek, May 20, 2022.
Lee Jin Man | AFP | Getty Images
President Joe Biden landed in California on Thursday to tour the affected areas violent storm Evaluate additional federal assistance needed for recovery efforts.
the president investigated Recent storms have caused flooding and landslides in parts of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties along the state’s central coast.
Biden joined Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, California Senator Alex Padilla, and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Dean Criswell on an aerial tour of the affected area.
He later spoke with California Democrats Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta and Watsonville Mayor Eduardo Montesino.
Biden is scheduled to meet with business owners and residents affected by the storm later Thursday.
Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that Biden has been closely monitoring the situation in California in recent weeks and is receiving regular briefings from his homeland security team. Told. He keeps in touch with Newsom and local officials.
Biden’s visit comes after White House says he approves disaster declaration California will focus federal aid on three hard-hit counties: Merced, Sacramento, and Santa Cruz. This proclamation provides federal assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and individual assistance for homes damaged by storms. More than 500 of his FEMA and other federal personnel have been deployed to assist with response and recovery efforts, Jean-Pierre said.
At least 21 people have died in a series of storms in California since late December. Aggregate NBC News.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/19/biden-heads-to-california-to-survey-damage-from-severe-storms.html Biden investigates storm damage in California after floods and landslides