To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Continuation of Local Emergency Due to Consecutive Major Winter Storm Events Commencing on January 3, 2023, Which Have Resulted in Downed Trees, Disrupted Utility Services, Damaged and Flooded Roadways, Mudslides and Damaged Homes, Such Damages Exceeding Available County Resources
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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 consecutive major winter storm events commencing on January 3, 2023, which have resulted in downed trees, disrupted utility services, damaged and flooded roadways, mudslides and damaged homes, such damages exceeding available county resources; and
2. Authorize the Chair to sign the resolution re-authorizing the existence of a local emergency due to consecutive major winter storm events commencing on January 3, 2023, which have resulted in downed trees, disrupted utility services, damaged and flooded roadways, mudslides and damaged homes, such damages exceeding available county resources.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100)
DISCUSSION:
On January 12, 2023 Sheriff William Honsal declared the existence of a local emergency (per Ordinance 2447) due to an imminent threat to public safety and significant damages to public and private property caused by consecutive major winter storm events commencing on January 3, 2023, which have resulted in downed trees, disrupted utility services, damaged and flooded roadways, mudslides and damaged homes. 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 consecutive major winter storms commencing on January 3, 2023, it has been determined that the local emergency should remain in effect until July 11, 2023.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Extending 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.
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.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to declare that a local emergency still exists, however, that would preclude the county from seeking outside assistance emergency programs to provide funding for storm damage response efforts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Re-Authorizing the Existence of Local Emergency due to Severe Storms.
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: 1/17/2023
File No.: 23-52