Napa residents disappointed in first round of federal disaster funding

NAPA, Calif. (KGO) -- Federal help is on the way to Napa and surrounding areas to help it rebuild from the 6.0 magnitude earthquake, but the president's disaster declaration isn't bringing the money a lot of people were hoping for, at least not yet.

Federal assistance from FEMA is coming, but residents aren't relieved.

The declaration unlocks federal funds, but only for the city and county infrastructure, thus far. Homeowners and small business owners remain on their own until a second phase of funding kicks in.

"I am disappointed it is not more clear cut," said Linda Cordair, a small business owner. "If the aid is there it needs to be for everybody."

Napa Mayor Jill Techel was both optimistic and disappointed by this news.

"I don't know what happens in Washington D.C. I hope they are quicker with individual assistance requests," Techel said. "That is the second part of our request."

Cordair owns an art gallery and the earthquake broke windows, ruined sculptures and wrecked walls. She is tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

"I would love them to take care of structural damage," Cordair said. " I just don't know what it is going to be."

It's a familiar refrain. A few blocks away, Al Jabarin showed ABC7 News where a rack of high end wine collapsed. The quake may have cost his three businesses a $25,000.

He said he'd love some low interest loans and tax deductions.

"I hope we don't have to wait too much, or too long," Jabarin said.

In this community, during what would have been a peak tourist season, hard work and determination can go only so far.