Homeowners and renters, small-business operators can get questions answered, learn about assistance programs
February 3, 2023
  • Updated at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023
    Changes to Disaster Recovery Center Entrance at San Mateo County Event Center, Potential Closing Date

    Redwood City – A Disaster Recovery Center will open in San Mateo on Thursday, Feb. 9, to help residents affected by recent storms learn about available assistance from local, state and federal agencies.

    The center will operate daily from Thursday, Feb. 9, through Thursday, Feb. 16, at the San Mateo County Event Center, west parking entrance, 2495 South Delaware St., San Mateo, 94403 (Google map link)

    Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – including the weekend – in Cypress Hall.

    Note: The center may remain open for up to an additional week depending on demand for services. Subscribe to email updates from the County and follow the County on social media to learn of updates.

    Representatives from the County, state Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide a one-stop source for information.

    Services will include:

    • Employment assistance
    • Record replacement
    • Veterans assistance
    • Access and functional needs assistance
    • Information on housing options
    • Referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
    • Information on Small Business Administration programs

    Before you go, it may be helpful to review the following:

    Disaster Assistance Basics (English) (Spanish

    Assistance for Families and Individuals (English) (Spanish

    Programs to Support Disaster Survivors (English) (Spanish)

    What information does FEMA require? (English) (Spanish)

    Assistance for Governments and Nonprofits (English) (Spanish

    Important: If you sustained damages or losses due to the New Year’s storms, you can apply now for FEMA disaster assistance.

    Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, childcare and moving and storage expenses. The deadline to apply is March 16, 2023.

    If you have insurance, first file a claim with your insurance provider. FEMA provides assistance to applicants for your uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs.

    There are several ways that you can apply for FEMA assistance under the Individual Assistance program:

    Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

    Download the FEMA mobile app

    Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language. The helpline is available until 8 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).

    For an accessible video on how to apply, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI

    You can also visit disaster-relief events being held along the coast next week.

    Assistance from FEMA became available when San Mateo County was added to the “major disaster declaration” for the series of storms that pummeled the state beginning at the end of December 2022.

    Media Contact

    Michelle Durand
    Chief Communications Officer
    mdurand@smcgov.org