PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS beginning on October 14, 2015, a series of rainstorms swept across Inyo, Kern, and Los Angeles Counties, bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and flooding; and
WHEREAS due to the extreme drought conditions throughout the state, these storms caused dangerous flash flooding, erosion, and substantial mud and debris flows; and
WHEREAS these severe storms caused harm to people and property by damaging public and private facilities, forcing evacuations, and requiring the opening of emergency shelters; and
WHEREAS as a result of mudflows, debris, floods, and erosion these storms caused damage to roads and highways in Inyo, Kern, and Los Angeles Counties, which forced the closure of Interstate 5 and State Route 58 and necessitated rescue of stranded motorists; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of the storm damage, by reason of their magnitude, are 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 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 storm damage in the Counties of Inyo, Kern, and Los Angeles.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., 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 Counties of Inyo, Kern, and Los Angeles.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The California Department of Transportation shall request funds through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, Title 23, United States Code section 125, for highway repairs or reconstruction in the Counties of Inyo, Kern, and Los Angeles.
2. All agencies of the state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities related to this state of emergency consistent with the direction of my Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan.
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 1st day of February 2016.
_____________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State
A copy of the proclamation can also be found here.