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Ratify the March 6, 2019 Proclamation of Local Emergency; and Adopt a resolution confirming the need for continuing the Proclamation of Local Emergency or a Proclamation Terminating the Local Emergency if the conditions merit
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors ratify the March 6, 2019 Proclamation of Local Emergency and adopt a resolution to continue the Proclamation of Local Emergency signed by the Solano County Incident Commander in response to flooding and road damage from a series of storms on February 25 - 27, 2019.
SUMMARY:
On February 28, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency due to a series of severe storm events that started initially on February 14 and continued through February 27, 2019. During the events, Solano County experienced significant damage to the road infrastructure due to saturation, slope failure, erosion, and scour. Staff from the Department of Resource Management worked initially during the event to close roads, clear drains, and perform safety assessments. Since the event ended, staff have been assessing the damages as well as providing early cost estimates for repairs. These cost estimates continue to climb as more damage is found with subsiding flows. On March 6, 2019, Nancy Huston, Solano County Incident Commander, signed a Proclamation of Local Emergency (Attachment B) due to winter storm damage incurred from February 25 to February 27, 2019.
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services has worked closely with DRM during the event of February 25-27 and will be forwarding the following damage estimate totals to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Solano County unincorporated area:
1) Gravel Wash/Replacement: $320,000
2) Drainage/Erosion repair: $160,000
3) Rock Slope Protection/Scour repairs at culverts/bridges (To be determined): $300,000+
The preliminary initial damage estimate stands at $780,000+ and continues to grow as more roads, drains, and bridges are able to be assessed and inspected once waters subside.
Continuing the proclamation is prudent based on continued forecasts of rain for the month of March as well as continued potential for slope failures.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. There is no additional financial impact to the County for continuing the Proclamation of Local Emergency.
DISCUSSION:
The Office of Emergency Services will continue to work with cities, reclamation districts, and the Department of Resource Management to assess damage estimate costs and forward to the state and federal agencies handling the storm recovery efforts.
If the Federal Government declares a State of Emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may make Individual assistance available via low interest loans and Small Business Administration loans to private property owners.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency; however, this is not recommended because the law requires all Local Emergency Proclamations be ratified by the governing body within seven (7) days and reviewed at least once every 30 days by the governing body thereafter until terminated.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Resource Management will provide updates to the Board as the recovery effort continues.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION