U.S. Pledges to Close Any Gap in Quake Recovery Funds

Federal disaster officials said Friday that they will provide earthquake relief funds for all eligible roads, schools, hospitals and other government structures damaged in the Jan. 17 Northridge earthquake even if they must ask Congress for more money.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were reacting to state and Los Angeles County reports that estimates of damage to public facilities have doubled to about $6 billion. The $2.8 billion allocated for such repairs has not yet been exhausted, FEMA said.

Regional Director Shirley Mattingly, in a letter to the county, denied that a “purported shortfall” of federal funds was hampering quake recovery efforts. Projects are funded based on their eligibility, not funds allocated and available at a given time, she said. Nearly $12 billion in earthquake relief has been allocated thus far.