SACRAMENTO — As severe winter storms continue across California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an emergency proclamation for the counties of Amador, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma to help communities respond to and recover from dangerous flooding, mudslides and damage to critical infrastructure.
The Governor previously declared an emergency for 21 counties across the state due to storms. The emergency proclamations direct Caltrans to formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program and the Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to local governments.
The full text of today’s proclamation is below:
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS on February 21, 2019, I proclaimed a state of emergency to exist within 21 counties due to atmospheric river storm systems, which caused widespread damage and flooding; and
WHEREAS beginning February 25, 2019, another significant atmospheric river storm system swept across California, bringing additional substantial precipitation, snowfall, high winds, mud and debris flows, and dangerous flooding; and
WHEREAS as a result of these storms, multiple rivers are at or expected to exceed flood stages, including the Russian River in Sonoma County, which has threatened homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents; and
WHEREAS the effects of these repetitive atmospheric river storm systems continue to cause widespread impacts throughout California; and
WHEREAS these conditions require continual emergency response, including significant flood fight, repair, reconstruction work, and debris removal; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the winter storms in Amador, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by these storm systems, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to appropriately respond; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8625(c), I find that local authority is inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the damage caused by the storm systems; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the winter storms, including those referenced in my February 21, 2019, State of Emergency Proclamation and those beginning on February 25, 2019.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, 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, Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in Amador, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
- The provisions of my February 21, 2019, State of Emergency Proclamation also apply to Amador, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties.
- As necessary to assist local governments and for the protection of public health and the environment, state agencies shall enter into contracts to arrange for the procurement of materials, goods, and services necessary to quickly assist with the response to and recovery from the impacts of the storms, including those referenced in my February 21, 2019, State of Emergency Proclamation. Applicable provisions of the Government Code and the Public Contract Code, including but not limited to travel, advertising, and competitive bidding requirements, are suspended to the extent necessary to address the effects of the storms.
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 28th day of February 2019.
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GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State