LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sheriff Brian Martin, in his capacity as Lake County’s director of Emergency Services, has issued a declaration of a local emergency in response to widespread damage caused by the storms and subsequent flooding during the past week. 

There have been reports of homes being flooded as well as landslides, downed utility lines, fallen trees and other serious damage to the county beginning on Feb. 18, the sheriff's office said.

The purpose of declaring a local emergency is to provide the authorization for officials to promulgate orders and regulations necessary to protect life and property. This is important when ordering special services and supplies relevant to disaster relief efforts, according to the sheriff's office.

A local declaration of emergency also describes the circumstances that exist to support the issuance of a state or presidential declaration of emergency, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff’s declaration of emergency, which Martin signed on Tuesday, has been forwarded to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for consideration by the director of Emergency Services.  

The sheriff's office said county employees are working diligently to respond to this most recent emergency, and urge the public to be prepared for additional rain events which are forecast to hit Lake County on Saturday, Feb. 25.