PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS beginning on March 5, 2016, a series of rainstorms swept across California, bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and flooding, severely impacting Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties; 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 storms caused damage to roads and highways in Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Trinity; and
WHEREAS the circumstances of the storms, 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 requires the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the storm damage in Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties.
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 Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. The California Department of Transportation shall formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, Title 23, United States Code section 125, in order to obtain federal assistance for highway repairs or reconstruction in Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties.
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 19th day of April 2016.
_____________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State
A copy of the proclamation can also be found here.