■ Mike Thompson calls for federal help after 6.0 Napa temblor

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson has asked President Barack Obama to make federal aid available to the areas impacted by the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that caused damage to Napa, American Canyon, Vallejo and elsewhere on Aug. 24.

Thompson, D-Napa, Benicia’s representative in the House, wrote Obama on Aug. 29 to ask him to issue a major disaster declaration for areas affected by the quake.

“As you know, this was the strongest quake to strike the region since 1989,” Thompson wrote. “As a result, there has been significant damage to homes, businesses, public buildings and infrastructure throughout our communities.”

His letter also was signed by California’s Democrat Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, as well as U.S. Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, and John Garamendi, D-Fairfield.

A major disaster declaration, which has been requested formally by the state of California, would provide federal assistance to the communities that were damaged by the earthquake, Thompson said.

“It is clear to us and local authorities that a major disaster declaration is critical to helping our state recover and rebuild,” he wrote to Obama.

The president must approve the state’s request, Thompson urged. “The earthquake hit our communities hard and federal assistance is needed for our area to fully recover from the damage that was caused,” he wrote.

“I stand ready to help expedite any support and resources because the sooner we get aid from the federal government, the sooner we can begin rebuilding and repairing our homes, businesses and infrastructure.”

If federal assistance is approved by the president, funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could become available to help residents repair or rebuild their homes, and for cities to make repairs to public infrastructure, Thompson wrote.

FEMA doesn’t provide assistance if other options, like insurance, are available, he noted, and residents will need to contact their insurance carriers first to determine what benefits, if any, their plans may provide.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans could become become available to affected business owners who need to repair or replace properties damaged in the earthquake, as well as replace inventory and supplies, Thompson noted.

Homeowners and renters could be eligible for SBA loans as well, he wrote, which they could use to repair or replace disaster-related damage to homes or personal property.

“The state and our local governments have conducted damage assessments and have determined that the extent of the damages are beyond their capacity to repair without federal assistance,” Thompson wrote.

Because of this determination, the state has formally requested that the president issue a major disaster declaration, which Obama must approve, Thompson wrote.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson said Benicia was fortunate in the wake of the quake. “We really escaped,” she said. “Meanwhile, our sister cities have issues.”

She has recommended that Benicians who are able to help contribute to the American Red Cross online or by texting 90999 on their cell phones.

They also can assure the money is used directly for earthquake relief by sending checks to the American Red Cross Napa County Chapter, 1790 Third St. #A, Napa, Calif., 94559.