Federal disaster assistance for Napa earthquake now at $2.4 million

Federal disaster assistance from the United States goverment has exceeded $2.4 million for those affected by the Aug. 24 South Napa earthquake, just one week after they became eligible to apply, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported Thursday.

In early September, Risk Management Solutions Inc. estimated that insured losses from the earthquake “will not exceed” US$250 million. 

At the state’s request, the federal disaster declaration expanded on Oct. 27 to include individual assistance for homeowners and renters in Napa and Solano Counties, the agency said.

Read more: Just 5% of Napa County California residents have earthquake insurance: Impact Forecasting

About 1,900 households have applied for assistance from FEMA. Disaster assistance includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses, not covered by insurance or other sources.

Get to know the previously unknown fault line that helped cause the Napa earthquake http://t.co/sxTFlOlPl9 pic.twitter.com/wQBWsf6pr1

— Mashable (@mashable) August 26, 2014

Low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations, according to FEMA. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

Wineries are assessing the damage from the earthquake in Napa http://t.co/Zq2K8W4PUk pic.twitter.com/iSdsydNwiW

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 26, 2014