Federal Lawmakers Urge Biden To Declare Disaster In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County and Inland Empire lawmakers are urging President Joe Biden to quickly approve a major federal disaster declaration associated with the widespread flooding, debris flows and wind damage from Tropical Storm Hilary.

On Tuesday, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, along with other California representatives led a letter asking the president to approve a federal disaster declaration if he receives a request from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

On Saturday, Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hilary's response and recovery efforts. Riverside County Chief Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen declared a local emergency Monday for the entire county, and several Coachella Valley cities followed suit, including the cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

“Tropical Storm Hilary caused significant damage throughout the 41st Congressional District, especially in Coachella Valley, and other parts of California,” Calvert said. “My colleagues and I in the California Delegation urge President Biden to stand ready to approve California’s request for a major disaster declaration should state and local emergency officials require further federal assistance and coordination. It’s absolutely critical that the federal government step up to the plate and avert further catastrophe by providing our residents, businesses, and communities with the resources and assistance they need to help our region recover from this historic storm.”

On Sunday, Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25) also urged Biden to declare a Federal State of Emergency for Southern California. Like Calvert, part of his district includes the Coachella Valley. Ruiz also represents portions of the San Gorgonio Pass Area, which suffered significant storm damage.

“With Governor Newsom issuing a State of Emergency and the devastation expected from Hurricane Hilary in our desert and under-resourced communities, I urge President Biden to declare a Federal State of Emergency for Southern California and to expedite resources to assist in disaster mitigation, rescue, and rehabilitation,” Ruiz said on Sunday.

Ruiz followed it up Tuesday with a letter to the president that was signed by other Southern California lawmakers. In it, they urged Biden to send federal disaster assistance to the region.

“There has been extensive damage to our district after Tropical Storm Hilary and our communities need the resources to start rebuilding," Ruiz said in a separate statement announcing the letter. "I will continue to advocate for the federal disaster funding necessary to help ensure our communities recover from the storm’s devastating effects.”

"Tropical Storm Hilary has resulted in the flooding of homes, destruction of highways, derailment
of trains, and damage to small businesses in our districts. Additional federal disaster assistance
will support the various jurisdictions throughout Southern California in their response and
recovery efforts and will bring much-needed federal resources to under-resourced and
economically stressed areas," the lawmakers' letter read.

"Our region’s infrastructure was not built to withstand these types of natural disasters. Tropical Storm Hilary has resulted in historic flooding and power outages with life-threatening consequences. We have just witnessed first-hand the effect of climate change on a region not built with hurricanes in mind," the letter continued. "We urge you to swiftly send federal disaster assistance in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations."

Riverside County officials and residents continued cleaning up Tuesday after Tropical Storm Hilary's weekend pounding that caused severe flooding in parts of the Coachella Valley and stranded some people in their neighborhoods with mudflow as high as 5 feet in some communities. Read more here.

Although work continues on Interstate 10 in the Coachella Valley to clear mud and repair damage, traffic was allowed through Tuesday. The eastbound side of the freeway remained partially closed Tuesday morning and there was no update on when a full opening would occur.