Title
a. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation 1of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on January 4, 2023, related to the Winter Storm and Atmospheric River Event that started on December 26, 2022 causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County including, the Carmel River, Carmel River Lagoon, Salinas River and Salinas River Lagoon and the Pajaro River, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property nearby. (4/5ths vote required)
b. Receive a verbal report on status of storm preparations., storm response, and impacts; and,
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate. (ADDED VIA ADDENDA)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to ratify the Proclamation
1of Local Emergency issued by the County Administrative Officer on January 4, 2023,
related to the Winter Storm and Atmospheric River Event that started on December 26, 2022
causing damage to public infrastructure and private property throughout Monterey County
including, the Carmel River, Carmel River Lagoon, Salinas River and Salinas River Lagoon
and the Pajaro River, thereby causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and
property nearby. (4/5ths vote required)
b. Receive a verbal report on status of storm preparations., storm response, and impacts; and,
c. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 8630(a) the County Administrative Officer may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when the county is affected by or likely to be affected by a public calamity. The Government Code requires that an emergency proclamation be ratified by the Board of Supervisors within 7 days of its issuance, and be reviewed at least once every 60 days until the emergency is terminated.
On December 26th heavy rainfall from what was identified as an atmospheric river began to impact Monterey County. The atmospheric river affected the Carmel River watershed which caused conditions in the Carmel Lagoon to approach a flood stage, potentially causing damage to public roadways and other infrastructure, and areas of isolation of private property, resulting in extreme peril to persons and property. The atmospheric river affected the area of the Salinas River Lagoon Mouth, which required Sandbar management activities. This action was necessary effective January 2, 2023, due to flows into the Salinas River lagoon causing conditions that could lead to possible loss of life and property in the area. Finally, the community of Bolsa Knolls experienced significant flooding from Santa Rita Creek. The atmospheric river created such hazardous conditions throughout the entire County that the Department of Emergency Management activated the Emergency Operations Center for the County to its highest level with staff from County departments, other cities, state agencies and disaster assistance organizations participating on a 24 hour in-person basis. Conditions continue evolve and present a risk to County residents, property and public infrastructure.
Conditions of extreme peril, created by this rain event, warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency and immediate action is necessary to mitigate public calamity, and to protect life and property as affected by such emergency. This board report requests adoption of a Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of a Local Emergency dated January 4, 2023, in accordance with California Government Code Section 8630.
The Department of Emergency Management will present an update to the Board and provide the current status of operations and recovery efforts as well as seek any direction that the Board wishes to provide
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Numerous County departments and other agencies have participated in the response to the emergency including the Department of Emergency Management, Sheriff’ Department, Information Technology Department, Department of Social Services, Health Department, County Administrative Office, Public Works, Facilities, and Parks Department, County Counsel, the US Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Services, CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, CA Coastal Commission, and the Water Resources Agency.
FINANCING:
Financial impact to the General Fund currently is unknown. Initial estimates will be provided to the Board during the presentation.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Approved by:
______________________________ ______________________________
Tracy Molfino Nicholas E. Chiulos
Interim Emergency Services Manager Interim County Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Emergency Proclamation dated 1/4/23
Draft Resolution