“We have to rebuild better”, Biden reinforces support for the victims in California

The support that the federal government is offering to California residents, victims of severe flooding and snowstorms in recent weeks, received a strong boost with President Joe Biden’s visit to the hardest-hit areas on Thursday.

“The country is here with you to help you, we are not going to leave until we have rebuilt, and rebuilt better than before, we are going to be with you at every step, I tell you sincerely,” said the president after a brief account of the support of various federal institutions to that western US state.

The president visited the counties of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, the latter being from where he addressed his words.

Biden affirmed that after the damage assessments and the aid operations now the authorities as a whole have “cautious optimism that the worst may be over.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newson said the death toll has risen to 21.

The president reported that the federal government will assume 100% of the costs of debris removal for 60 days, and that with the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance has been opened online to offer financial and other assistance.

At least nine atmospheric river storms have brought heavy rain and snow to California since late December, knocking out power to thousands of residents, flooding roads, toppling trees, triggering debris flows and mudslides.

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