After the Rain

Potential Resources to Explore for Help Recovering From the Storms
Published February 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.

Note: If you'd like to know how much rain Topanga has received so far this season, and even compare the total with the season average, visit the LA County Department of Public Works' rain map. (You'll have to zoom in for Topanga to appear.) 

On January 24, 2023, the Topanga Town Council submitted to FEMA, a storm damage report of the Topanga area that was based on eye-witness accounts, photographs and correspondence received from residents (see link below). Although FEMA responded quickly to our letter, their reps gave the Council very short notice of their in-person inspection of Topanga. Last Friday, FEMA Aid evaluators reviewed some parts of the Topanga area that were hit hard by the recent storms. We thank all the Topanga volunteers who quickly rose to our last-minute request to escort the evaluators to some of those areas impacted by the rainstorms. The visual inspection of impacted areas consisted only of about 1/3 of the homes and land that residents submitted to the TTC, but it did give the agency an idea of how badly Topanga was hit. FEMA is now assessing the damage to determine the types of assistance for which residents may be eligible.

While we know many residents have suffered damage (major and minor) to their property and homes, it is not clear if Topanga was impacted enough to qualify for aid; but hopefully, Topanga can qualify for something that can assist residents. It may take some time to hear back from FEMA. We will keep you informed as soon as we know something.

We thank all those who participated in this recovery effort. And in the meantime, here are some contacts residents can reach out to, to see if they can help in some way.

These resource links were provided by the 3rd District LA County Supervisor's Office as potential sources of help. There is no guarantee that all or any of them will assist impacted homeowners in LA County. But it's worth reviewing the list and making some calls to start the ball rolling on any help that may be available to you. These resources are from nonprofits/non-government organizations. We cannot guarantee or vouch for any of these resources. Nonetheless, we feel they are worth exploring (and carefully vetting) as potential avenues for assistance.

1. Team Rubicon 
Phone: 310-640-8787

2. TzuChi
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 909-447-7799

3. Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Borrowers must have steady income, be residents of Los Angeles, Ventura, or Santa Barbara counties, and cannot have a current loan with JFLA.