President Joe Biden declares major disaster status for California [Video]

SAN DIEGO — President Joe Biden Monday declared a major disaster status for California and ordered federal assistance for San Diego County areas affected by severe storms and flooding last month.

The assistance will benefit local, state and tribal recovery efforts, according to a White House news release.

Money may be used for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses or other programs to help people or business owners.

The White House said federal funding will also be available, on a cost-sharing basis, for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Biden’s announcement follows an unprecedented storm on Jan. 22 that deluged various communities in the San Diego region with more than 2 inches of rain in just two hours. According to the National Weather Service, it was the fourth wettest day …