06/05/2006 GAAS:353:06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims State of Emergency in Mariposa County
Governor Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Mariposa County as a result of severe weather conditions beginning in March and April that led to damage of public property and the closure of State Route 140 due to a landslide. Text of the proclamation is below.
A PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS a series of severe rainstorms that commenced on December 19, 2005 brought unusually heavy rains that caused flooding, mudslides, the accumulation of debris, washed out and damaged roads, and the loss of human life to Northern and Central California counties; and
WHEREAS I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, found that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property existed in 34 counties as a result of the series of severe rainstorms that commenced on December 19, 2005, and issued State of Emergency Proclamations on January 2, 3, and 12, 2006; and
WHEREAS on April 10 and 13 and May 2, 2006, I proclaimed a state of emergency in a total of 20 counties because of severe weather conditions commencing on March 29, 2006, and continuing, that brought unusually heavy rainfall flooding, mudslides, the accumulation of debris, washed out and damaged roads, and the failure of local levees; and
WHEREAS on May 10, 2006, I proclaimed a state of emergency in a total of 40 counties due to the heavy rains, severe weather, and the damage caused to the transportation infrastructure and ordered the Department of Transportation to seek through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, Title 23, United States Code section 125, federal assistance for highway repairs; and
WHEREAS on April 29, 2006, and continuing, unusually heavy rains in March and April have triggered a major landslide on State Route 140 approximately 10 miles west of the Yosemite National Park boundary, completely blocking and closing the highway.
I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist within the county of Mariposa resulting from heavy rainfall and landslide movement commencing on April 29, 2006, and continuing. The landslide caused significant damage to public property, and the resulting disruption to highway travel has caused economic losses to businesses and has restricted the mobility of the public and emergency vehicles. Because the magnitude of this landslide exceeds the capabilities of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of Mariposa County, I find the county to be in a state of emergency, and under the authority of the California Emergency Services Act, set forth at Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 7 of the California Government Code, commencing with section 8550, I hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Mariposa County.
Pursuant to this proclamation, I hereby direct, to ensure adequate resources and personnel are available to perform emergency response and recovery in Mariposa County where I have proclaimed a State of Emergency, that the California Department of Transportation immediately request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, Title 23, United States Code section 125, to obtain federal assistance for highway repairs or reconstruction in Mariposa County.
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 5th day of June, 2006.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Governor of California
