Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer has declared a state of emergency following the January rain storms that resulted in extensive damage and flooding in the City of San Diego. The San Diego City Council will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to ratify the local state of emergency. While a state of emergency proclamation has already been declared at the state level by Gov. Jerry Brown, approval of a local proclamation is necessary to secure State disaster assistance.
“We believe we have a strong case in applying for and receiving emergency aid from the state,” said John Valencia, City of San Diego Office of Homeland Security executive director. “We estimate that close to $5 million may be recouped following the severe storms that pounded our City last month.”
City departments were engaged in widespread emergency response and recovery activities such as swiftwater rescue operations, traffic control, debris removal, clearing/repairing of storm drains, drainage pumps, as well as tree and mud removal.
A proclamation of a local emergency, combined with a proclaimed state of emergency by the governor, allows the city to request assistance for recovery and selected mitigation efforts through the California Disaster Assistance Act.