A Message from Anne Reynolds, Executive Director California Wildfire and Debris Flow Recovery Program (summary version):
The 2017 California wildfire season was exhausting and heartbreaking for affected residents. For months on end, relentless, unprecedented blazes impacted communities across the state, causing tragic losses and forever changing lives. The American Red Cross was there, delivering relief and comfort to thousands of Californians. This vital aid was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the public and the tireless efforts of thousands of Red Cross volunteers and employees. Together, their contributions provided safe shelter, food, water, and essential relief supplies to people in need, along with health services, and emotional support.
As communities repair, rebuild, and recover, the Red Cross has offered its ongoing support. Over the past seven months, the Red Cross has provided financial assistance to households whose homes experienced major damage or were destroyed. To date, the Red Cross has assisted some 3,700 households with more than $5 million in financial assistance.
As the Red Cross nears its financial distribution goal to individuals and families impacted by the 2017 California wildfires, the American Red Cross will no longer accept new inquiries for individual financial assistance after December 31, 2018.
While this phase of assistance will end, the Red Cross remains committed to supporting recovery efforts. The organization is awarding grants to partners doing important community recovery work such as rebuilding, repair, and providing mental health resources. It also is participating in local Long-Term Recovery Committees to help identify and address residents’ unmet needs.
Those who still have needs can work with their local disaster case management agency to seek assistance in their community. In Sonoma County, you can contact ROC Sonoma County (Rebuilding Our Community) at 707-535-3349 or get started by visiting their website at rocsonomacounty.org.
Individuals with questions regarding the status of their assistance payment from Red Cross, may call 1-800-REDCROSS, and select option 5. They should be ready to provide their 8-digit case number, or the phone number associated with the case to the agent.
The Red Cross delivers help to those in need regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or citizenship status. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency. Red Cross financial assistance is not a loan, will not need to be repaid, and will not conflict with another agency’s support.