Gov. Newsom Declares State Of Emergency From Winter Storms

SAN JOSE, CA -- Flooding where streets once were, record snowfall burying the Sierra Nevada mountains, power outages bringing down poles and lines, a home collapsing on a Marin resident, downed trees littering the streets, two landslides on one road and ice and hail in peculiar places at low elevations- California has seen it all in terms of weather-related conditions from winter storms this year.

With that, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency proclamation Tuesday afternoon to help communities respond to and recover from these severe storms that have plagued residents and damaged critical infrastructure.

The series of storms deemed "atmospheric rivers" - aka "Pineapple Express" storms for originating in Hawaii - consist of heavy rain measured in sometimes three times the average. The latest series produced snowfall mounting in the Sierra Nevada mountain range by up to 20 feet started on Jan. 5. Few dry spells have been seen since then, with no end in sight for the Pacific Coast line. Residents in flood-prone areas have remained on a heightened state of alert. Flooding in places considered unusual have become commonplace.

During a dual snowstorm blast that leveled South Lake Tahoe with measurable feet, the California Highway Patrol in Placerville urged tourists to refrain from visiting the winter wonderland -- telling them on a Facebook post it would be quicker to drive to San Diego than to the mountain town.

The emergency proclamation lists the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Sonoma, Glenn, Lake, Amador, Marin, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo. It directs the California Department of Transportation to formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program and directs the Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to local governments.

The formality allows the state to shift resources from one county to another "if necessary," California Office of Emergency Services spokesman Robb Mayberry said. In the case of winter weather resources, some local governments' public safety agencies have strengths to share that others need. For example, the San Jose Fire Department has honed swift water rescues -- pertinent to conditions in which drenching rain pummels a region like those the North Bay has endured in the last month. Crews had one less than two weeks ago.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Santa Clara County. Valley Water has taken precautions to prepare for possible storm impacts. The water agency continues to monitor streams and reservoirs.

"While we are not anticipating major flooding concerns, residents should be aware that the storm has potential to cause flooding along small channels that tend to rise quickly with intense rains. Unanticipated blockages in streams or storm drains may contribute to these risks," Valley Water Board Chairwoman Linda J. LeZotte said. "Valley Water crews have been actively checking hotspots and areas of concerns. They stand ready with heavy equipment to respond to reports of downed trees or large debris blockages in locations where we have property rights. We are also monitoring streams for blockages at key bridges and culverts."

As of Tuesday afternoon, Valley Water's 10 reservoirs have a combined storage of 61 percent of their full capacity.

The public may alert the agency to obstructions in the creeks to help prevent flooding by reporting a problem area via calling 408-630-2378 or submitting a service request to Access Valley Water.

The state emergency declaration also serves to set the stage for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct an assessment that clears the path for federal funds as a result of these monumental storms.

Storms that slam California have now become so severe a new study conducted by the American Meteorological Society and published in the February bulletin by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at U.C. San Diego ranks the strength and impacts of these storms on a "CAT" scale -- meaning on a catastrophic level. Like weather forecasters and climatologists rate hurricanes from 1 to 5, these severe storms will be labeled as “weak,” “moderate,” “strong,” “extreme” and “exceptional.” Their ranking is determined by the level of moisture.

The winter storm emergency proclamation found here orders:

1. All agencies of the state government to 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 the Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan.
2. Caltrans shall formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program 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.