California SOE-March-Storms 5.3.24
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY
WHEREAS in March 2024 California experienced multiple storms bringing heavy rains, mountain snow, thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, and high winds threatening life and safety, public and private property and structures, and other critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS the impacts from the series of March 2024 storms caused severe damage to roads and highways in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity and Ventura Counties; and
WHEREAS impacts from the storms caused shoulder erosion, road damage, and slip-outs in both Trinity and Monterey County; and
WHEREAS a slip-out near Monterey County's Rocky Creek Bridge on scenic Highway 1 and a landslide in Los Angeles County on Topanga Canyon Boulevard forced partial and full closure, respectively, of the roadways; and
WHEREAS California's Department of Transportation continues to assess the condition of the roadways and work diligently to reopen the roads for safe transit; 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 the March 2024 storms; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by the March 2024 storms, by reason of their magnitude, 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 the March 2024 storms; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this Proclamation would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the March 2024 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 Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, and Ventura Counties due to the impacts of the March 2024 storms.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
- 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.
- The California Department of Transportation shall formally request immediate assistance, as appropriate, 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.
- The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the March 2024 storms and apply for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning March 30, 2024, and ending on the close of business on September 30, 2024, in Monterey County, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
- 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 the March 2024 storms in Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity, and Ventura Counties.
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.
This Proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 3rd day of May 2024.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, PHD
Secretary of State