To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Counsel, Emergency Management
Staff Name and Phone Number: Cory O’Donnell 707-565-2421
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Ratification of proclamation of local emergency due to January 2023 winter storms.
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency in the Sonoma County Operational area due to the January 2023 winter storms.
end
Executive Summary:
This item requests the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution ratifying the proclamation of local emergency by the Director of Emergency Services due to the January 2023 winter storms and flooding. Sonoma County Code Chapter 10, Article 1, Section 10-5(b) provides authority for the Director of Emergency Services to issue a proclamation of local emergency if the Board of Supervisors is not in session, subject to ratification by the Board within seven days. On January 3, 2023, the Director of Emergency Services proclaimed the Existence of a Local Emergency.
Discussion:
Beginning on December 31, 2022, a series of strong winter storms have hit Sonoma County resulting in major flooding in parts of Sonoma County, downed trees, disrupted utility services, and damaged roadways. Due to these conditions of extreme peril to safety of persons and property, coupled with predicted continuation of severe storms and flooding, the Director of Emergency Services issued a Proclamation of Existence of Local Emergency in the Sonoma County Operational Area on January 3, 2023. The County’s Emergency Operations Center was activated on January 4, 2023.
On January 4, 2023, the Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist throughout California due to the severe winter storms related to a series of atmospheric river systems striking and continuing to strike California, bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and river and urban flooding.
Additional strong atmospheric river storm systems are forecast to continue bringing substantial
rainfall, along with high winds, and significant risk of downed trees, debris flows, power outages, and road blockages. Based on best available current information the Russian River is projected to have periods of exceeding flood stage - and possibly remain above flood stage for several days. Other areas in the Sonoma County Operational Area have flooded, and are expected to continue to flood, as well.
Ratifying the January 3, 2023 Proclamation will continue the local emergency, make available to the County/Operational Area state and local mutual aid, and allow for any state emergency funding if it is made available.
The ratification resolution also gives the County Administrator authority to make decisions regarding pay for the County workforce given the impacts of the winter storms and flooding on County facilities and required County service and facility closures.
Staff recommends that the Board ratify the Director of Emergency Services proclamation of local emergency in order to meet the seven day period a proclamation can remain in force without Board ratification.
Staff will be available to provide current conditions and response at the meeting.
Prior Board Actions:
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution Ratifying Proclamation of Local Emergency
Director of Emergency Services January 3, 2023 Proclamation of Local Emergency
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None