07/15/2008 GAAS:529:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency in Inyo County Due to Wildfires and Flash Flooding
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today declared a state of emergency in Inyo County as a result of the Inyo
Complex fires, which
burned thousands of acres and were followed by thunderstorms, heavy rains and
flash flooding. The proclamation utilizes all resources consistent with the
state's authority under the California Disaster Assistance
Act.
To date, the Governor has declared a state
of emergency in the following 12 counties due to wildfires: Butte, Inyo, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa
Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta and
Trinity.
Text of the
proclamation:
A
PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS on July 11, 2007,
I proclaimed a state of emergency to exist within Inyo County caused by multiple wildfires
collectively known as the "Inyo Complex Fire"; and
WHEREAS the Inyo Complex
Fire burned many thousands of acres; and
WHEREAS beginning on July
12, 2008, severe thunderstorms swept through Inyo County, causing heavy rain within the
County; and
WHEREAS the heavy rains
caused flash flooding, mud and debris flows, and landslides; and
WHEREAS these conditions
threatened lives and destroyed or damaged homes and public facilities, including
portions of an historic fish-hatchery facility; and
WHEREAS the conditions
caused the evacuation of communities and facilities and the opening of emergency
shelters; and
WHEREAS the flood waters
and mudflows closed Highway 395 and other roads and highways important to the
communities in the area; and
WHEREAS on July 12, 2008,
the County of Inyo declared a local emergency, finding that conditions of
disaster and of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen
in Inyo County caused by the thunderstorms, torrential rains, landslides, and
mud and debris flows in areas previously burned by the Inyo Complex Fire, and
requesting that I proclaim a state of emergency in Inyo County;
and
WHEREAS the circumstances of
these conditions, by reason of their magnitude, are beyond the control of the
services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and
county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or
regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the
provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that
conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to
the flash flooding, mudflows, and other conditions in the County of Inyo.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Governor of the State of California,
in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and
statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular,
section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to
exist within the County of Inyo
IT IS HEREBY
ORDERED that all agencies of the state government
utilize and employ state personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance
of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my Office of
Emergency Services (OES) and the State Emergency Plan, and that OES provide
local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster
Assistance Act.
I
FURTHER DIRECT that
as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the
Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this
proclamation.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 15th Day of July
2008
______________________________
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor of
California
ATTEST:
_______________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
