To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Continuation of Local Emergency Due to the 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Occurring on December 20, 2022
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Declare that a local emergency remains in effect until July 11, 2023 enabling the County of Humboldt and other local government entities to adequately plan, prepare and implement policy to be able to effectively respond to the threat posed by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurring on December 20, 2022; and
2. Authorize the Chair to sign the resolution re-authorizing the existence of a local emergency due to the 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake that occurred on December 20, 2022.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund
DISCUSSION:
On December 20, 2022, at 0234 hours, a strong and violent 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Humboldt County. The earthquake has caused an imminent threat to public safety and significant damage to public and private property, exceeding available county resources. Additionally, 50+ aftershocks have occurred. The damaged caused by the earthquake includes, but is not limited to: damaged homes, damaged bridges, cracked roadways, landslides, downed trees, downed power lines, damage and loss of commercial structures, loss of telephone services, damage to community water storage, damaged water lines, damaged gas lines, and two deaths as well as 11+ injuries. This has required multiple state and local agencies to respond to and provide for public safety, emergency medical response, collapsed buildings, damaged roadways, damage assessment, vehicle access, mass care and sheltering, debris-roadway clearing and the provision of emergency services. The extent of the damages has exceeded the available resources of local jurisdictions.
Because conditions of severe risk to the safety of persons and property and the integrity of natural and cultural resources still exists within the county caused by the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on December 20, 2022, it has been determined that the local emergency should remain in effect until July 11, 2023.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The continuation of the local emergency allows for the county to seek state and federal funding that may be applicable, which may include funding from the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Disaster Assistance Act, and the Stafford Act.
STAFFING IMPACT:
The continuation of the emergency continues to utilize staff time working as disaster service workers.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
State of California, United States federal government, City of Eureka, City of Rio Dell.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to adopt the Resolution, however, that would preclude the county from seeking outside assistance emergency programs to provide funding for the earthquake response efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution Extending the Local Emergency Due to 6.4 Quake on December 20, 2022
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-31
Meeting of: 04/04/23
File 23-424