Kings County pushes federal agencies to clear $21.3 million in pending FEMA claims; Houston Avenue federal project advances to environmental clearance

Kings County staff told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that 22 FEMA claims filed after the January–March 2023 storms remain largely unresolved and asked the board to authorize letters asking FEMA, state partners and federal lobbyists to expedite review. Administration reported $21,324,337 in unobligated claims related primarily to road and bridge damages in the Tulare Lake Basin area.

Alex C. Walker, administrative analyst for Kings County administration, outlined the scope of the claims and the county’s recent experience with Project Roomkey noncongregate shelter reimbursements, which required months of advocacy before FEMA issued final payments. "The ongoing closure of our vital roadways is significantly hindering the county's recovery efforts," Walker said, urging state and federal engagement to speed reviews.

Walker told supervisors the county submitted 22 claims across FEMA’s categories (debris removal, emergency protective measures, and roads and bridges) but that only five had been accepted; several remain in environmental or eligibility review with no action. County staff and retained consultants reported engineering observations including shoulder washouts, undermining of pavement, pumping and amplified cracking tied to saturated clay soils in the Tulare Lake Basin. The county has contracted geotechnical sampling to document structural damage.

Separately, staff provided an update on the Houston Avenue segment, a federal-aid route eligible for Federal Highway Administration emergency relief funding through Caltrans. Public Works is pursuing environmental clearance (NEPA categorical exclusion and CEQA compliance) with approval expected in April 2025, after which right-of-way and construction authorization can proceed. Staff reported a preliminary 30% construction estimate of $5,400,000, an additional consultant fee of $1,400,000 and a current total project cost estimate of $7,000,000; right-of-way work cannot begin until the NEPA CE is complete and the county may need to front construction costs pending federal reimbursement.

Wendy Osekapo, Director of Human Services, described the county's prior FEMA advocacy on Project Roomkey claims and credited persistent meetings and lobbying for recent successful reimbursements: "We had weekly meetings with FEMA, and they hated it. But we had Cal OES and FEMA on the line every week, and we forced them to go over the status of every single claim," she said.

The board authorized the chairman to sign letters encouraging FEMA to communicate on claim status and accelerate review. The motion passed on a 5-0 roll call.

Ending: Staff and the county's federal lobbyists will send the letters and continue weekly monitoring and technical follow-up with FEMA and state agencies; the county emphasized the urgency of relief to restore critical county roads.