NOTICE from the Editor: This important announcement was
delayed due to verifying that all information is accurate and up-to-date. Big
Bear Lake NewsRoom appreciates the cooperation between City, County and
State to publishing this news information.
Thanks to our viewers as well. E T
Russell
Governor Gavin Newsome 
Declared the STATE OF
EMERGENCY
For California
Counties Due to WINTER STORMS
February 28,
2019____
The City of Big Bear
Lake
would like to thank all those across the Big Bear Valley for responding to our
recent request for reports of property and structure damage relating to the Valentine’s Day Storm event that began
on February 14, 2019. Your responses played an important part in obtaining the
Governor’s State of Emergency Declaration, which includes San Bernardino
County.
As
a result of the Governor’s declaration, there is a possibility State financial
assistance may become available. Big Bear Valley residents are encouraged to
contact Zack Mullennix or Michael Ramirez with the San Bernardino County Fire Office of Emergency Services at (909)
356-3998 for current storm related recovery information and questions.
The
California counties included in the proclamation for disaster funding are: Calaveras,
El Dorado, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey,
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa
Clara, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo.
The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) also
requested immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s
Emergency Relief Program and directed the Office of Emergency Services to
provide assistance to local governments.
Below
is a copy of the proclamation:
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS
beginning on January 5, 2019, an atmospheric river system swept across
California, bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and flooding,
significantly impacting counties throughout the State; and
WHEREAS atmospheric
river systems continued to impact California throughout January and into
February 2019; and
WHEREAS
beginning on February 12, 2019, another significant atmospheric river system
swept across California, resulting in additional widespread damage; and
WHEREAS
these winter storms caused extensive snowfall, high winds, dangerous flash
flooding, erosion, widespread power outages, and mud and debris flows; and
WHEREAS
these winter storms caused damage to critical infrastructure and to roads and
highways throughout the State; 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 Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc,
Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa
Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo counties;
WHEREAS under
the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions
caused by the winter 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 require the combined forces of a mutual aid
region or regions;
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
winter storms;
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
Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono,
Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa
Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo counties.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. 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.
2. The
California Department of Transportation shall formally request immediate
assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief
Program, United States Code, Title 23, section 125, in order to obtain federal
assistance for highway repairs or reconstruction.
3. The
Office of Emergency Services shall provide assistance, as appropriate, under
the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, California Government
Code section 8680 et seq. and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section
2900 et seq.
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
21st day of February 2019.
_____________________________
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
_____________________________
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State