Storm Response

Recovery phase

California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4683-CA)

On Feb. 2, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notified Contra Costa County that it was approved for Individual Assistance. This means that residents who sustained property and business damage from the storms that occurred between December 30, 2022 and January 30, 2023 can now seek assistance directly from FEMA. Individual Assistance is a FEMA-led program so you must apply directly to FEMA before March 16, 2023 by any one of the following methods:

Submitting an application to FEMA does not guarantee that assistance will be awarded. The official name of the disaster for a FEMA assistance application is: “California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (DR-4683-CA)”. You can find additional information here.

2022-23 California Winter Storms, DR-4683-CA

Local Disaster Recovery Center

On February 15, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened a Disaster Recovery Center to help residents impacted by the storms from Dec. 31, 2022 to Jan. 30, 2023, connect directly with recovery resources. The Center is open in Danville during these dates and times, depending on need:

Location: 510 La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Dates: Feb. 15 to March 16

The Center can help residents:

  • Apply directly for assistance. Residents can still apply online or check the status of their application at www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362;
  • Learn more about disaster assistance programs;
  • Learn the status of a FEMA application;
  • Ask questions regarding eligibility;
  • Find housing and rental assistance information;
  • Get answers to questions or resolve issues; or
  • Get referrals to agencies that might offer other assistance.

Other resources through the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will also be available.

For those who have experienced personal property damage, please contact your insurance company first to determine what resources might be available. FEMA provides assistance to applicants for uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs. On Feb. 2, Contra Costa County was approved for Individual Assistance (IA). FEMA provides Individual Assistance to eligible individuals and households who have sustained losses as a direct result of a disaster that receives a federal disaster declaration.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be opening additional mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in Richmond and Pittsburg for Contra Costa County residents impacted by the December and January winter storms. 

The mobile centers will help residents connect with federal recovery resources in person where you can learn more about emergency food/housing, home repairs, SBA loans, and tax relief. The centers will only be able to help residents with FEMA individual assistance. For assistance from state agencies or the Small Business Administration, residents should visit the Recovery Center in Danville, which has extended their operation to March 16. For more information, please visit www.disasterassistance.gov. 

Weather permitting, the Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will be open at the following locations: 

Richmond Civic Center Parking Lot
Between 24th and 25th streets in Richmond 
Feb. 26-March 1, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Community Presbyterian Church 
200 E. Leland Road in Pittsburg
March 2-4, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Read the flyer

Información en español

Preparing for Storms

SANDBAGS

Concord maintains a 24-hour sandbagging station at its Corporation Yard, located at 1455 Gasoline Alley, and sandbags are free to Concord residents. Residents who are unable to fill their own, such as seniors and persons with disabilities, can make arrangements to pick up pre-filled bags by calling (925) 671-3448. 

Reports of serious flooding, blocked roadways, and/or trees down can be made directly to Police Dispatch by either calling (925) 671-3333 or 911.

Additional instructions on how to fill a sandbag and how to create a sandbag barrier can be found below. 

Sandbag Construction 

Sandbag Barrier

Concord's Public Works Department

USE CAUTION

Remember to stay away from the low-water areas, creeks, and floodplains; and be aware that high winds and saturated grounds can combine to cause trees and branches to fail suddenly.  

When out and about (walking or driving) be aware of your surroundings and stay clear of trees during the storm. You can report trees blocking travel lanes by calling Police Dispatch at (925) 671-3333 or 911.

Please stay away from downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and dangerous. Report downed lines to 911. 

Report potholes using the City's Concord Connect app.

POWER OUTAGES 

With heavy rain and strong winds in the forecast, it is possible that Concord could experience a power outage. Residents are encouraged to make sure electronic devices are charged up in the event of an outage. Outage information will be available for viewing on PG&E's outage map. In addition, there are emergency preparedness safety tips available through PG&E's Safety Action Center.

DRIVE SAFELY 

Driving through a flooded area puts your vehicle at risk for stalling out and becoming stuck in the water, so please do not drive through standing water.  

If you are driving and you hit standing water and begin to hydroplane, immediately take your foot off of the gas pedal and let your vehicle slow until you regain control. When driving in heavy storm conditions, give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your destination and maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. If your windshield wipers are on, your headlights MUST be on as well. 

STAY UP-TO-DATE 

Follow our social media pages for updates, and subscribe to the County’s Community Warning System for emergency alerts.