Office of the Governor

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM • SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814 • (916) 445-2841

O F FI C E O F T H E G O V E R N O R

March 28, 2023

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the United States

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

Through: Robert J. Fenton, Jr.

Regional Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX

1111 Broadway, Suite 1200

Oakland, CA 94607-4052

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you once again for your expeditious approval of the State of California’s

emergency declaration request (EM-3592). The conditions in California

continued to deteriorate due to the Winter Storms and ongoing Atmospheric

River events (collectively, the Late Winter Storms event) that commenced

February 21, 2023, and continues to overwhelm California through March. As

such, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief

and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207 (Stafford Act), as

implemented by 44 C.F.R. § 206.36, I respectfully request a Major Disaster

Declaration for California’s impacted counties, to include:

• All categories of Public Assistance for the following counties: Calaveras,

Los Angeles, Monterey, and Tulare;

• All Individual Assistance programs for the following counties: Kern,

Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and Tuolumne;

• Any other appropriate Stafford Act disaster assistance programs;

• U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans and funds from the U.S.

Department of Agriculture Emergency Loan Program; and

• Hazard Mitigation statewide.

California reserves the right to amend this request to add additional counties for

both Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) as counties pivot from

response to recovery from the Late Winter Storms Event and can commence

assessing damage. Additionally, the State will be working closely with the

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather

Service (NWS) to validate historical snow data.

Given the cumulative and compounding severe consequences of the Late

Winter Storms event on top of the December-January Atmospheric River event,

which was a federally declared major disaster (DR-4683), I specifically request a

Major Disaster Declaration for California’s impacted counties to include the

following:

• 100 percent Federal cost share for PA Categories A and B (debris removal

and emergency protective measures) for the first 90 days.

Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.47(d), the State of California reserves the right to

request a 90 percent Federal cost share to be placed into effect after the first 90

days. Additionally, pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.47(b), California may request a 90

percent Federal cost share for all other categories of Public Assistance

(Permanent Work Categories C-G). The State of California reserves the right to

submit this request within the first 90 days of the major disaster declaration being

issued.

I. CURRENT SITUATION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The ongoing Late Winter Storms event continues to impact the State,

endangering lives and property while creating a disaster that is beyond the

capabilities of State and local government. With critical infrastructure and

homes damaged or destroyed, severe, near record, or record snowfall

throughout California and in areas not accustomed to snow, and major flooding

along population centers, the impacts have been and continue to be

profound. The State of California has relentlessly been bombarded by storm

after storm with little-to-no time to recover, which has tragically caused 9 known

fatalities to date. As the historic snowpack begins to melt, it is anticipated that

extended advanced planning will be necessary to respond to additional flood

threats that may not be realized initially and could continue to be present

during the spring snowmelt.

Operational areas of the State are still actively responding to this disaster as

current flood risks continue to prevent flood waters from receding and hindering

damage assessments from taking place. Additionally, rain and snow fall

continue throughout California, and a new atmospheric river began impacting

California on March 28, further compounding the continuous rain and snow

onslaught the State has seen this winter.

California has also experienced other severe weather effects like tornadoes due

to the Late Winter Storms event. A tornado was confirmed on March 21 by NWS

in the City of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, due to severe storms in the

area

. The tornado began as a waterspout off the coast of California and

moved onshore causing damage to over 25 properties at the Sandpiper Village.

Damages include metal carports destroyed, windows broken, and multiple

metal roofs ripped off resulting in 1 person injured. The tornado recorded wind

speeds of 75 MPH, with a width of 25 yards, and lasted approximately 2 minutes.

On March 22, a second tornado, confirmed by NWS as an EF-1 Tornado, struck

an industrial warehouse and commercial business district in the City of

Montebello in Los Angeles County. The tornado’s winds were recorded at 110

MPH, with a width of 50 yards, and lasted approximately 3 minutes. The tornado

rapidly developed during severe storms and damaged over 17 structures,

injuring 1. In addition, there was a near total roof collapse in one building,

interior structural damages, car, tree damage, and snapped power poles. This

was the first tornado to touchdown in the Los Angeles area since December of

2014 and the strongest since March of 1983. The tornado came on the heels of

compounded damages already impacting the State. The tornado further

exacerbated damage in Los Angeles County caused by previous storms in this

Late Winter Storms event.

A. Current Situation

California has faced, and continues to face, persistent snowfall as well as heavy

precipitation, high winds, and river and urban flooding across the State. The Late

Winter Storms event has ravaged California since February 21, 2023. Having

already saturated California with trillions of gallons of water, the event will

continue to impact the State through, at least, the end of March.

At the peak of the event, the State recorded 1 location at danger stage,

defined as being at risk for catastrophic flooding, and 16 locations reaching

flood stage, the stage at which overflow of the natural banks or levees of a

stream begins to cause damage in the local area from inundation (flooding). An

additional 32 locations reached monitor stage, showing the amount of water

above normal flow conditions.

See attached Table 1

To date, the flooding caused by this event has devastated communities

throughout the State. On March 11, 2023, increased flows at the Pajaro River

caused a 110-foot breach of the levee protecting the town of Pajaro, causing

inundation. These impacts significantly affect residents and cause severe

physical damage and economic hardship to property and community

infrastructure. Additionally, Tulare County issued evacuation orders for the area

near Porterville that impacted dozens of homes. Overnight on March 16, several

breaches were reported on the Lake Success Dam. On March 17, the breaches

were being repaired with assistance from helicopters delivering sandbags.

Although the breaches continue to be under repair, the Lake Success Dam

remains at high risk for overflowing and flooding into the nearby town of

Porterville due to excessive debris buildup.

Mountain communities in the State have received record or near-record

snowfall. For example, in San Bernardino County, the communities of Big Bear

and Lake Arrowhead received record snowfall with totals of 64 inches of snow

received within a 48-hour timeframe. This eclipsed the previous record of 60

inches. In Mono County, Lee Vining received near record snowfall for both its 2

and 3-day snowfall totals. This record snowfall has impacted the State’s ability to

provide direct assistance to thousands of individuals who had been stranded for

over two weeks due to the tremendous amount of snow. The record snowfall

made the roadways and hilltops of the mountain communities impassable,

resulting in delays in the State’s response and assistance. As a result, entire

populations throughout the State had been cut off from ground access for

nearly 2 weeks, due to the persistent snowfall. Basic essentials, such as food and

medicine, were airlifted to these communities in an effort to assist the San

Bernadino Mountain communities due to historic snowfall.

Figure 1: Heavy snowfall in Crestline, CA on March 3, 2023.

At the peak of the Late Winter Storms event, there were 70 road closures. As of

March 27, 2023, 30 of the 70 roads that reported closures have no estimated

time of reopening. Currently impacted routes include US Highway 395 in Mono

and Inyo counties, State Route (SR) 18, 138, and 330 in San Bernardino County;

SR 1 in Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties; US Highway 101 in Santa Clara

County; and Interstate 80 from Colfax, California to the Nevada state line.

Routes such as US 395 have been closed for weeks due to snow and ice and still

have no estimated time of reopening.

First responder services were hindered by road closures in many counties. In

Calaveras County, many roads were closed due to damage, impacting

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response in some areas. Roads have also

been impacted by storms in Tuolumne County, and while EMS was aware of

available detours, it delayed response time. Mariposa County also reported that

EMS response had been delayed due to highway and road damage.

Additionally, Yosemite National Park had limited access to emergency vehicles

due to reported avalanches and erosion. Although these initial delays appear to

be resolved, incoming storms could threaten the already damaged roads and

emergency response time.

B. Emergency Response

Due to the sustained force and longevity of the Late Winter Storms event, local

and State resources are strained and overwhelmed beyond the capabilities of

the State. On February 21, 2023, the State activated its State Operations Center

(SOC) in preparation for the incoming storms. On March 9, 2023, the State

activated the SOC at its highest level along with the Flood Operations Center

(FOC). The SOC has remained fully activated at the highest level and is

expected to continue to be fully staffed for the duration of the event. At the

peak of the event, 44 out of 58 counties across the State activated their

Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), along with numerous cities, local

agencies, non-profit organizations, and private entities in response to the Late

Winter Storms event

I have issued 5 separate proclamations over the course of this event, collectively

declaring states of emergency in 47 counties. The proclamations include a

variety of provisions in response to the Late Winter Storm event, including

activation of the State Emergency Plan, mobilization of the National Guard,

suspension of state law to facilitate emergency contracting, waiver of vital

document replacement fees, providing flexibility for health care facilities, an

unemployment insurance waiting period waiver, ordering the California

Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to request assistance through the

Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) emergency relief program, and

provision of state CDAA assistance, if appropriate, to eligible local governments.

Other California State resources activated and in use include the California

Department of Water Resources, the California Department of Forestry and Fire

Protection, the California Conservation Corps, the California Department of

Transportation, the California Health and Human Services Agency, and the

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. As this is a federally

declared emergency, California has drawn on the resources of its federal

partners including FEMA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Geologic Survey.

At the height of the response, and to support urgent resource requests from 21

counties, critical resources were deployed to conduct ongoing lifesaving efforts,

including nearly half a million sandbags and plastic sheeting, flood fight

specialists, 48 High-Water Vehicles, 125 California National Guard service

members, 3 helicopters, and 2 flood fight containers. The State responded to

meal requests for delivery to emergency shelters assisting with evacuations in

the mountain communities. The Department of General Services (DGS) has

been providing 24-hour procurement of goods and services to assist in the

response to storms and flooding including, sandbags, security guard services,

accessible and functional needs showers, fuel, firewood and additional shelter

See Table 3 Attached.

support services. In San Bernardino County, the State assisted with the delivery of

essential propane and fuel to maintain generators, and emergency equipment.

However, in Mono and Inyo Counties, snowfall totals prevented propane

deliveries to major towns due to road closures and impassable roads. In

addition, the State provided 5 hand crews, 7 snow blowers and front loaders, 3

helicopters, 2 heavy equipment teams, 2 Snow Cats for extraction, and dozens

of Snow Shovels to assist in snow removal. Caltrans has mobilized 4,000 crew

members statewide, working 24/7 shifts to keep roads open and quickly respond

to emergencies.

During the peak of the event, on March 14, there were 30 active prepositions

across the state, including 33 Cal OES Engines, 93 Local Government Engines, 4

Local Government Helicopters, 208 Hand Crews, Dispatchers, IMT Members, and

Swiftwater/US&R Rescue Teams.

As of March 24, there were 295 rescues reported in Monterey County, 12 in

Mariposa County, 10 in Kern County, 4 in El Dorado County, 2 in Calaveras

County, 1 in San Bernardino County, and 1 in Stanislaus County. This makes the

total number of individuals rescued due to flooding and snow 325 across the

State of California. In Inyo County, 2 additional swift water rescue teams were

prepositioned from San Diego and Riverside to provide assistance due to rising

flood concerns. Heavy equipment operations also are providing support for

snow removal and aiding in the preservation of life and property.

The American Red Cross and California Department of Social Services are

currently supporting shelter efforts across the State, which include 30

congregate shelters in 13 counties. As a result of your declaration of an

emergency, FEMA is also supporting sheltering operations in the State and has

prepositioned supplies and life saving measures in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Santa

Barbara. On March 14, the peak of evacuation warnings and orders, there were

51,637 people under evacuation warnings and more than 25,000 people under

evacuation orders due to storms moving throughout the State and causing

detrimental flooding, wind, rain, and snow impacts. On March 15, the peak

shelter numbers were recorded at 31 Congregate Shelters, with 616 people

sheltered, and 8 Non-Congregate Shelters, with 60 people sheltered. In addition,

the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is currently assisting

dairies in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Stanislaus counties to evaluate animal

evacuation needs. At the height of the Late Winter Storms event, there were 11

open animal shelters at fairgrounds throughout the State to assist with

evacuation, sheltering, and/or staging needs.

II. IMPACTS TO POPULATION AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Due to the ongoing devastation of the Late Winter Storms event, the State is

actively gathering information and data related to the impacts to populations

throughout California. The following highlights the most critical impacts felt

across the State, as well as major projected impacts based on recent reports.

A. Uninsured Home and Property Losses

This disaster is putting a tremendous strain on the fiscal resiliency of the State’s

population and exacerbating pre-existing social vulnerabilities throughout the

impacted counties, as over half the counties with concurred FEMA State Joint

Preliminary Damage Assessments (Joint-PDAs) rank moderate to high on the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index

(SVI). In most counties harmed by the Late Winter Storms event, only 5 percent

of residents have flood insurance. Furthermore, of the subject counties, at least

30 percent of the population lacks homeowners or personal property insurance,

demonstrating that the impacted populations will require immediate and

effective assistance to support expedited recovery.

According to initial Joint-PDAs conducted with FEMA,

42 homes and businesses

have been destroyed, 378 have suffered major damage, 171 have suffered

minor damage, and 87 have been affected by heavy flooding. However, these

Joint-PDAs are currently ongoing and do not show the entirety of all IA damages

in the numbers provided. The estimated private property loss for this event thus

far totals $329,638,502, although this number is expected to rise. These numbers

are expected to increase exponentially as communities continue to respond to

the latest atmospheric river impacts, more damage is revealed, and more Joint-

PDAs are conducted.

Central Coast

Monterey County: Flood impacts to Monterey County’s population have been

particularly devastating. At the peak of the levee breach, more than 33,000

individuals were under evacuation orders or warnings due to the major, life-

threatening flooding in the area. This includes the most recent levee breach and

flooding along the Pajaro River, which has greatly harmed the unincorporated

communities of Pajaro and Spreckels and caused more than 1,700 residents—

See Table 1 and Table 2 attached.

Fresno, Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, Nevada, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare, and

Tuolumne.

many of them low-income families—to evacuate their homes. According to

income data provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD), approximately 27 percent of households in the unincorporated county

were lower income households.

In Monterey County, approximately 44% lack homeowner’s or personal property

insurance and less than 5% have flood insurance. IA Joint-PDAs report 200

homes have suffered major damage or have been destroyed. However, many

more properties are predicted to be affected or damaged given projected river

flows and ongoing storms. In addition, Monterey County is reporting agricultural

losses exceeding $450.5 million. As one of the largest producers of produce in

the United States, the economic consequences of this disaster will heavily affect

the local economy and thereby the State economy.

Pajaro, Monterey Residential Debris Recorded March 27, 2023

While the Joint-PDAs report 200 homes with major damage or destroyed, it is

important to note that the impacts to the community far exceed the reported

concurred Joint-PDA numbers. Nearly every home in Pajaro has been impacted,

even those that do not have high water marks or were not reported as

damaged by the Joint-PDAs. Community members and non-profit organizations

are removing debris from in and around homes and will likely remain doing so for

an extended period of time. Such large amounts of debris have been

generated as a result of the storms and levee breach that after the first day of

re-entry, shelter numbers in Pajaro remained the same, as it was incredibly

hazardous for community members to remain in their homes.

The effects on the population of Monterey County remain significant as the

county is also considered highly vulnerable to recent disaster impacts, ranking in

the 82

percentile for overall social vulnerability. Because the impacted

communities have a relatively low median household income and a high

percentage of renters, many individuals and households are subject to an

increased vulnerability to displacement.

Figure 1: Levee Breach in Pajaro, CA caused catastrophic damage to homes on

March 11, 2023

San Benito County: In San Benito County, over 38% of the population lacks

homeowners or personal property insurance and less than 5% have flood

insurance. Further, 39% of all households in the county are considered extremely

low, very low, or low-income. Joint-PDAs report 6 homes have been destroyed,

31 have suffered major damage, 20 have suffered minor damage, and 5 have

been affected. San Benito also reported agricultural losses in excess of $3 million,

directly impacting the local economy through crop loss and unemployment rise.

Additionally, San Benito County ranks in the 78

percentile with regard to their

socioeconomic vulnerabilities (i.e., a significant segment of their population fall

below the 150% poverty level, are unemployed, experience housing insecurity,

have no high school diploma, and/or lack health insurance), and in the 77

percentile for racial and ethnic minority status, with a large percentage of

Latino residents who may face increased vulnerability due to language barriers

and limited access to resources.

Santa Cruz County: The county has suffered greatly after numerous tragic

disasters have struck the area in recent years. Currently, the county is continuing

to suffer from the impacts of high flood waters, heavy rain, and high winds

contributing to downed trees and power lines and thereby, damaging homes

and businesses. The Santa Cruz Mountains received snowfall which later

contributed to the severe flood impacts the county is currently facing. Joint-

PDAs were conducted with FEMA and concurred on the following damage: 7

destroyed homes and businesses, 26 suffered major damages, 10 minor, and 5

affected. Within the county, approximately 33% of the population lacks

homeowners and personal property insurance and only 4.6% of the population

carries flood insurance. The county will see significant impacts to long-term

recovery as the lack of both homeowner’s and flood insurance will only

contribute to delayed rebuilding and repairs to homes and businesses.

San Joaquin Valley

Kern County: Due to heavy rain and flooding, evacuation orders for over 7,000

residents were issued for the county, including the cities of Kernville and

McFarland, as well as additional homes along the Kern River. At the apex of the

storm, the Kern River rose to 17 feet, causing river water to flow into wells

servicing the Frontier Trails Homeowners Association (HOA). Additionally, the

heaving flooding completely inundated a mobile home park. Joint-PDAs report

10 homes have been destroyed, 16 have suffered major damage, 61 have

suffered minor damage, and 29 have been affected. Additionally, the county is

also estimating agricultural losses of approximately $72 million.

Within the county, approximately 35% lack homeowners or personal property

insurance and 5% have flood insurance. Furthermore, 49% of all households in

the county are considered extremely low-, very low- or low-income; and Kern

County is considered to be highly socially vulnerable, ranking in the 94

percentile for overall social vulnerability.

Kern County has a significant segment of their population experiencing high

levels of housing insecurity and increased vulnerability due to language barriers

and limited access to resources. Because Kern County also has significant

numbers of multi-unit structures, mobile homes, and individuals living in group

quarters, they are more susceptible to the latest disaster impacts. These impacts

are directly affecting the availability of new housing resources which will now be

significantly strained while recovery commences.

Tulare County: At the height of response, the event, over 4,000 evacuation

orders and over 9,000 evacuation warnings had been issued for the county as a

result of flooding. Joint-PDAs conducted with FEMA concurred on the following

damages, 2 homes have been destroyed, 101 have suffered major damage, 52

have suffered minor damage, and 21 have been affected. Within Tulare,

approximately 32% lack homeowner’s or personal property insurance and less

than 5% have flood insurance.

Most significantly, the county is ranked in the 92

percentile for overall social

vulnerability, and within California, their population ranks the most vulnerable in

terms of their socioeconomic status factor (i.e., a significant segment of their

population falls below the 150% poverty level, are unemployed, experience

housing insecurity, have no high school diploma, and/or lack health insurance).

Additionally, like Fresno and Kern, Tulare County also has a significant

percentage resident who may face increased vulnerability due to language

barriers and limited access to resources. Agricultural losses are currently

estimated at $60 million due to extensive flooding of crop fields as reported in

the county’s Initial Damage Estimate (IDE). Due to increased agricultural losses,

Tulare County will continue to see impacts throughout their local economy

including an increase in the unemployment rate.

Sierra Foothills

Mariposa County: As storms moved through Mariposa County, evacuations

were issued for several areas, including those that had been previously harmed

by the Oak Fire. Joint-PDAs report 12 homes have been destroyed, 12 have

suffered major damage, 15 have suffered minor damage, and 4 have been

affected.

Within the county, over 28% of the population lacks homeowners or personal

property insurance and less than 5% have flood insurance. Furthermore, 49% of

all households in the county are considered extremely low, very low, or low-

income; and Mariposa County exhibits a relatively high social vulnerability in

terms of their household characteristics (i.e., a significant segment of its

population is aged 65 or older or 17 and younger, experience a disability, are

single-parent households, and/or have low English language proficiency),

indicating a more challenging road to recovery for these impacted

communities.

Tuolumne County: Due to severe flooding in the area, the county’s residents

have been largely impacted through home and business damages. Joint-PDAs

conducted with FEMA concurred on the following damages, 11 homes and

businesses destroyed, 16 suffered major damaged, 10 minor damage, and 11

have been affected. Furthermore, approximately 32% of the population lacks

homeowner’s and personal property insurance and less than 5% have flood

insurance. With the lack of flood insurance, most residents impacted will be

unable to repair, replace, or rebuild their homes and businesses due to the loss

of insurance proceeds. The communities largely affected will struggle to recover

long-term as the lack of assistance provides an inadequate and helpless path

forward for individuals, families, and businesses.

Southern

Mono County: At the peak of the storm, the county experienced a complete

outage of their 911 emergency phone line system to provide emergency

services to their community. Although the outage of the emergency phone line

system has been resolved, Mono County continues to face obstacles. For

example, the U.S. Postal Service has been challenged to deliver mail, including

needed prescriptions to residents in Bridgeport, Mono City, and June Lake.

Additionally, at least, four complete or partial roof collapses were reported on

March 14. The county also reported potential structural damage to commercial

structures in Mammoth Lakes as a result of snow loading. Significant snow and

debris removal activities are being conducted in order to restore access and

egress routes. In the areas of Mono City, June Lake, and Mammoth Lakes, there

has been over 800 truckloads of snow removed within a 3-day period. Currently

IDEs are being received and PDAs are anticipated. Due to the heavy snow

totals, many areas of the county are currently inaccessible for PDAs to be

conducted. The State expects to conduct Joint-PDAs with FEMA once

accessibility has been restored and true damages realized.

San Bernardino County: San Bernardino Mountain communities, including Big

Bear Lake, have suffered greatly as a result of historic snowfall and rain-on-snow

events, inundating homes, businesses, and causing road closures. Reports from

the communities indicate significant numbers of destroyed homes due to roof

collapses caused by rain on snow loads. IDEs report, 70 homes and businesses

have been destroyed, 46 have suffered major damage, 148 have suffered minor

damage, and 112 have been affected. Joint-PDAs are currently tentatively

scheduled and will be completed in the near future.

San Bernardino County communities are considered highly vulnerable to

impacts caused by the snow on rain event, ranking in the 84

percentile for

overall social vulnerability. Within the county, approximately 39% of the

population lacks homeowners or personal property insurance and less than 5%

have flood insurance. Furthermore, about 80% of housing units in Big Bear Lake

were built prior to 1990 and are more than 30 years old, indicating an increased

vulnerability to flood damage. According to current parcel-level data obtained

from the US Census American Community Survey (2020), less than 1% of

properties within the county are considered vacant for recreational or seasonal

purposes (i.e., secondary homes).

While Joint-PDAs are still in process in the counties requested above for

Individual Assistance, and as the State continues to demonstrate damage totals

meet thresholds, federal assistance remains a critical component to community

long-term recovery. Not only are these impacted counties among the most

socioeconomically disadvantaged in the State, but they have been severely

and persistently devastated by extreme weather events since December of

2022.

Most significantly, the safety net that exists for the state’s wealthier, more insured

communities, with greater housing and job security, does not exist as a short- or

long-term recovery solution for these disaster survivors, only further impacting the

most vulnerable individuals and families. Flood insurance rates of the impacted

counties, on average, hover around 5%; and high percentages of these

communities do not have homeowner’s or personal property insurance or are

severely underinsured. This lack of insurance, compounded by the low

socioeconomic status of the communities identified in this request, strongly

suggests that these vulnerable individuals and households have little to no ability

to afford repairs to their homes and/or personal property losses.

In areas such as Monterey County (a county that ranks in the 82

percentile for

overall social vulnerability), major agricultural losses of the county’s largest

exports, including lettuce, broccoli, and strawberries, will cripple the local

economies, significantly increase unemployment, and both perpetuate and

exacerbate the socioeconomic conditions individuals and families are already

facing.

As California continues to assess winter storms and flooding impacts to these

highly vulnerable communities, it is evident that both state and federal

assistance will be needed to support their road to recovery. Pre-existing

hardships, disproportionately affecting communities within these impacted

counties, have only been intensified by recent events and require an equitable

solution that provides for current and future challenges. As such, I strongly

advocate for these communities, and our shared constituents, to receive the

federal support they need.

Annual Crop Report | Monterey County Farm Bureau (montereycfb.com)

B. Impact to Community Infrastructure

Due to the rapid and ongoing nature of this disaster and the exhaustion of State

and local resources, IDEs for the respective counties are projecting to be well

above the Statewide Public Assistance Indicator. Currently, the State estimates

damages of $156,007,712 in Categories A and B and $368,270,296 in Categories

C-G, far exceeding the State Public Assistance indicator of $4.44 per capita for

a Statewide threshold of $69,982,655. These numbers are expected to

significantly increase as additional counties provide updated IDE numbers and

FEMA concurrence is reached. Many of the counties hardest hit are still trying to

assess damages and are actively performing life saving measures which have

delayed the IDE collection.

While 47 counties are currently under a State of Emergency, the State has

included the most impacted counties IDEs and concurred Joint-PDA totals

based on PA Category A and B costs, to demonstrate the current impacts being

presently reported. The costs associated with this request have been confirmed

from the local jurisdictions and the State will continue to perform Joint-PDAs as

required by FEMA and the Stafford Act.

In Calaveras, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Tulare counties, as well as various

impacted State Agencies, there is a total FEMA concurred cost of $92,202,376.

These numbers demonstrate the magnitude of this disaster as only 4 counties

have been presented here with an additional 43 counties still reporting

damages not accounted for in the above amount. The State damage estimates

conclude the severity of impacts far exceed the State indicator achieving this

with only 4 counties.

In addition, the State proposes Joint-PDAs continue to be conducted with FEMA

based on the PA IDEs received from local jurisdictions. However, due to the

urgency and need to attend to the preservation of life and property, the State is

immediately requesting Federal Assistance to provide relief for those most

impacted by this disaster.

FEMA and the State are in the process of conducting PA Joint-PDAs for eligible

Emergency Work and Permanent Work. However, ongoing significant storms

along with rising waters in the State’s rivers, levees, and reservoir systems

continue to cause increased and new damages statewide. Although the State’s

indicator has been exceeded in the above identified counties, damages

continue to be documented and validated with FEMA which could lead to

additional requests for Public Assistance approval in other counties or for

categories not previously authorized. The State will continue to work closely with

FEMA to organize, validate, and expedite these additional requests in a timely

fashion.

Calaveras County: The County sustained damage to multiple roads providing

vital road access to homes and businesses. On Dog Town Road in San Andreas,

a 7 by 9 by 15-foot-deep sinkhole emerged after soil saturation eroded the earth

below and gave out. In addition, a 75-foot pine tree next to the sinkhole has the

potential to contribute to catastrophic damages to the roadway and possible

injuries to travelers and livestock. Elsewhere in the County a box culvert

sustained heavy structural damage as visible cracks were observed within the

concrete. The box culvert is a main throughfare for vehicle traffic preventing up

to 3,500 residents from traveling through this area. In addition, with the damage

and closure of the road, residents are forced to use a secondary road which

adds on approximately 16 miles to these residents’ commute. Essential and

emergency services are also affected by preventing a quick and efficient way

for these residents, posing a great risk to their lives and safety. The County

reported and IDE amount of $2,704,213 of which $637,000 FEMA has concurred

with representing a per capita indicator of $14.08 per individual.

Los Angeles County: Los Angeles County received significant damages to their

reservoir retainment network, contributing an initial estimated damage cost of

$66,309,560. The depositing of debris and sediment into 7 of the County’s

reservoirs has further threatened the operability of outlets of multiple dams,

reducing the capacity for flood protection of the area. Additionally, these

reservoirs sustained erosion and sinkholes within the earth and rockfill

embankment compromising structural integrity of the embankment. FEMA

concurred with Los Angeles County’s costs totaling $60,142,200 which equates

to 87% of the total Statewide indicator and a per capita cost of $6.28 per

individual.

Tulare County: In Tulare County, the Shafer Dam has been actively spilling water

at an estimated outflow of 6,000 Cubic Feet per Second (CFS) which at its peak

reached a height as 12,500 CFS on March 15. In addition, an evacuation order

was issued on March 15 for the Porterville area including all homes, business, and

structures on both sides of the Tulare River, due to water levels rising in Success

Lake. The dam is also filled with vegetative debris such as branches and logs

which, if subject of spillover, could damage downstream infrastructure or cause

flooding due to blockages. Additionally, the Springville wastewater treatment

plant suffered a catastrophic failure resulting in the release of sewage and

requiring crews to hand-pump raw sewage into a pond basin temporarily. The

pond basin is at high risk for overflowing which would result in sewage spreading

across the community via the floodwaters. Based on preliminary IDE numbers

received of Category A-G costs $8,190,425 were concurred with FEMA. The

concurred amounts exceed the Countywide indicator by $17.31 per individual.

Monterey: Based on the initial Joint-PDAs, FEMA has concurred $2,355,138 in

Category B (Emergency Protective Measures). Due to the ongoing response

efforts, the county has only begun to realize the significant damage to essential

community infrastructure. A significant contributor to the damages occurred

early on March 11, when the Pajaro River levee breached causing immense

damage to the community’s sewer system, water supply, and roadways. The

sewer system was damaged as a direct result from storms and flooding

beginning the date of the levee breach until Saturday, March 25, 2023. As a

result, 12 vacuum tank trucks were deployed, and being utilized on a continuous

basis until March 24, 2023, to remove the sewage from the community and

transport it to the nearby wastewater treatment facility. Although the water

system is in working order, the potable water within the community is not fit for

consumption and the community continues to remain on a boil water notice. As

a result, the State has deployed 2 water tenders to Monterey County beginning

March 26 to provide safe drinking water to the community.

Statewide

Power Outages

During the recent series of atmospheric rivers, on March 13, 2023, the State

experienced over 380,000 power outages. In particular, outages in Santa Clara

and Monterey counties caused included over 50% of the local population.

These power outages were a result of high winds in this series of storms which

caused massive outages and were challenging to restore due to flooding and

access issues.

Schools

School closures, during the peak of the event on March 14, included 219 schools

impacting over 102,044 students.

The Three Rivers Elementary School, located in Tulare County, experienced a

water main break, which was subsequently inundated by flood waters, resulting

in a Do Not Drink water notice. The school remains closed due to flooding.

Pajaro Middle School, located in Monterey County, is closed due to flooding

and damage assessments are pending as the site is still an area of active

flooding. Additional damages to schools throughout the impacted areas are

likely to be further identified as flood waters and heavy snowfall continue to

recede.

III. STATE FISCAL IMPACTS

During an emergency, Cal OES functions as the Governor’s immediate staff to

provide guidance and coordinate the state’s responsibilities under the

Emergency Services Act and applicable federal statute. Cal OES ensures

effective disaster response and recovery by managing multi-jurisdictional efforts

among local, state, tribal, and federal entities, as well as non-governmental,

nonprofit, and private organizations. Cal OES also acts as the conduit for state

and federal assistance through grants and federal agency support.

The California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) authorizes Cal OES to administer a

disaster assistance program that provides financial assistance from the state for

costs incurred by local governments as a result of a disaster event. CDAA

provides for the reimbursement of local government costs including funding for

the repair, restoration, or replacement of public real property damaged or

destroyed by a disaster. The CDAA baseline funding each year has continued to

increase as a result of the frequency and duration of disaster events to cover

local government costs. Specifically, for the last three state fiscal years,

California has invested $100.8 million, $162.6 million, and $176,6 million in state

fiscal years 2020-2021 through 2022-2023 respectively.

The State’s 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 budgets committed $8.7 billion over

multiple years to support drought resilience and response designed to help

communities and fish and wildlife avoid immediate negative impacts as a result

of extreme drought, while continuing to advance projects and programs that

prepare the State to be more resilient to future droughts and floods. In 2023-24, I

proposed to maintain $8.6 billion in funding to minimize the immediate

economic and environmental damage from the current drought and support

hundreds of local water projects to prepare for and be more resilient to future

droughts.

Beyond disaster response and recovery, the State has invested $10.2 billion in

2022-23 in homelessness programs and response, including resources to provide

long-term permanent housing options, services, and supports for individuals

experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. My

budget proposes to maintain these investments in 2023-24.

Since 2019, California has supported humanitarian services for migrants released

from short-term federal custody in the border region. These services were

expanded in 2021 given changing federal policies and public health needs

related to COVID-19. California’s national model of care and community

partnership provides screening, support services, temporary shelter, and onward

travel coordination for migrants so they may safely continue with their

immigration proceedings at their destination in the U.S. The California model

prioritizes the state’s border communities and the well-being of migrants. No

state has invested more than California in these humanitarian efforts: the state

has spent $1 billion over the last three years funding services and resources for

migrants and border communities.

Currently, the state tax revenue outlook highlighted in the 2022 Budget has been

realized—continued high inflation, multiple federal reserve bank interest rate

increases, and further stock market declines. This last risk is particularly important

to California, as market-based compensation—including stock options and

bonus payments—greatly influences the incomes of high-income Californians.

Combined with a progressive income tax structure, this can have an outsized

effect, both good and bad, on state revenues.

Given these developments, the revenue outlook is substantially different than

seen in the last two years. Prior to accounting for solutions, my Budget forecasts

General Fund revenues will be $29.5 billion lower than at the 2022 Budget Act

projections, and California now faces an estimated budget gap of $22.5 billion

in the 2023-24 fiscal year. In order to bridge that gap, I am proposing funding

delays, programs reductions or pullbacks, fund shifts, and limited revenue

generation and borrowing.

IV. CERTIFICATION

I certify for this Major Disaster Declaration request that the State and local

governments will assume all applicable non-federal shared costs as required by

the Stafford Act.

V. STATE COORDINATING OFFICERS AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

I have designated the Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency

Services, Nancy Ward, as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) and

State Coordinating Officer for this request. Director Ward is empowered to

execute on behalf of the State all necessary documents for federal assistance,

including claims for Public Assistance, and will work with FEMA in continuing to

provide more information or justification on my behalf.

VI. CONCLUSION

California continues to recover from multiple, consecutive disasters that

warranted and received emergency declarations and major disaster

declarations, as seen in the enclosed list. Now, due to the damage caused by

the Late Winter Storms event’s effects, including flooding, mud and debris flows,

and avalanches throughout California and the cumulative and compounding

impacts of these storm systems, I am requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for

the counties set forth above with all categories of Public Assistance and

programs of Individual Assistance, including any other appropriate Stafford Act

disaster assistance programs, U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans,

funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Loan Program, and

Hazard Mitigation Statewide. California is continuing to be trampled by winter

weather and federal disaster assistance and individual and household program

assistance is necessary for disaster survivors and the State’s long-term recovery.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

Governor of California