Title
Adopt a resolution continuing for an additional sixty (60) days, the Proclamation of a Local Emergency for the 2022-2023 Winter Storm and Atmospheric River Event that started on December 26, 2022.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution continuing for an additional sixty (60) days, the Proclamation of a Local Emergency for the 2022-2023 Winter Storm and Atmospheric River Event that started on December 26, 2022.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On December 26, 2022, a Winter Storm and Atmospheric River Event began resulting in approximately 25 days of intense precipitation that caused 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. A Local Emergency was Proclaimed by the Interim County Administrative Officer on January 4, 2023, and was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on January 10, 2023. The Board further ratified the proclamation on March 7, 2023, May 9, 2023, and June 27, 2023.
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, 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 to evolve and present a risk to County residents, property and public infrastructure, necessitating the continuance of the state of emergency.
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:
The Finance Section of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated and continues to compile costs associated with response and recovery related to this emergency. The costs and the impacts to the County have been presented and will continue to be evaluated and presented under separate financial reports and request for funding augmentations to the Board by the EOC Finance Section.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Kelsey Scanlon, Director of Emergency Management, x 1902
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer, x5145
Attachments:
Attachment A: Draft Resolution