LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake was among 16 counties included in a state of emergency issued on Wednesday in response to the fall storms that did damage across the region.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in the counties of Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Plumas, San Francisco, Solano, Sonoma and Trinity to support their ongoing recovery from severe October storms that caused widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure.

The proclamation directs Caltrans to request immediate federal assistance for highway repairs or reconstruction, among other provisions.

At the end of October, an atmospheric river dropped several inches of rain in Lake County, which also led to downed trees and power lines, and some mudslides and boulders in local roadways.

The text of the proclamation is published below.


WHEREAS beginning on or about October 21, 2021, and continuing for approximately one week, a series of strong Atmospheric River storm systems struck California; and

WHEREAS these storms resulted in record-breaking rainfall and resulted in flooding, erosion, and debris flows; and

WHEREAS these storms caused widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure across significant portions of 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 these storms; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by these storms, by reason of their magnitude and combined impact, 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 to appropriately respond; and

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 these storms; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of these 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 Amador, Butte, Contra Costa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Plumas, San Francisco, Solano, Sonoma, and Trinity counties due to these storms.

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 consistent with the direction of the Office of
Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan. Also, all residents are to obey the direction of emergency officials with regard to this emergency in order to protect their safety.

2. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide assistance to Glenn, Marin, and Trinity counties, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.

3. 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.

4. The restrictions set forth in Penal Code section 396, which are automatically triggered upon proclamation of a state of emergency, are suspended, and no such restrictions are imposed, with respect to this 2021 event.

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 23rd day of March 2022.

GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California

ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, PH.D.
Secretary of State