From Contra Costa County:
(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors ratified a local proclamation of emergency Tuesday in response to winter storm damage occurring throughout unincorporated parts of the County since late December. The proclamation was originally declared by County Administrator Monica Nino on January 10.
The emergency status enables the County to be eligible for disaster relief funding, should it be authorized by the federal and state government in the future. The proclamation was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the State of California Office of Emergency Services and Contra Costa County was ultimately added to the Governor’s statewide proclamation on January 11. The Governor issued the statewide emergency proclamation on January 4. This allows the state to make further requests for federal disaster assistance on the county’s behalf.
“This Local Emergency Proclamation will allow our County to access needed Federal and State funds to help us recover from the extensive storm damage,” said Board Chair John Gioia. “County crews have been hard at work protecting lives and property during these intense rains.”
A series of atmospheric rivers have been pounding the region since late December. The severe storms have toppled trees, damaged roads, eroded creek banks, prompted mudslides and knocked out electrical power. With more rain on the way, and the ground still saturated from previous storms, residents are encouraged to prepare for the weather ahead by checking rain gutters and storm drains for blockage. For concerns about flooding, visit one of the free sandbag stations throughout the County. Please note that you’ll need to bring a shovel, but bags and sand are available for free. Find out details regarding County sandbag sites at www.contracosta.ca.gov/sandbags.
To report a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet, please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours, and after hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441. You can also request help from Public Works via the Mobile Citizens App: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7875/Mobile-Citizen or email admin@pw.cccounty.us.
