Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an emergency proclamation for the counties of Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Mariposa, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano and Tuolumne to help communities recover from severe February storms that caused widespread flooding, mudslides and damage to critical infrastructure.

The Governor previously declared an emergency for 26 counties across the state due to the February storms. The emergency proclamations direct Caltrans to formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program and the Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance to local governments.

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019, I proclaimed states of emergency to exist in Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo counties due to atmospheric river storm systems, which caused widespread damage and flooding; and

WHEREAS these winter storm systems caused additional impacts to roads, highways, and other critical infrastructure throughout Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Mariposa, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Tuolumne counties; 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 winter storms in Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Mariposa, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Tuolumne counties; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by these 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 storm systems; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of these storms, including those referenced in the two aforementioned State of Emergency Proclamations.

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 Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Mariposa, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Tuolumne counties.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. The provisions and orders contained in my State of Emergency Proclamations dated February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019, also apply to Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Mariposa, Napa, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Tuolumne counties.
2. 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 storms who applied for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning January 5, 2019, and ending on the close of business on August 31, 2019, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.  This provision also applies to all counties identified in my State of Emergency Proclamations dated February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019.

3. Vehicle Code sections 9265(a), 9867, 14901, 14902, and 15255.2, requiring the imposition of fees, are suspended with regard to any request for replacement of a driver’s identification card, vehicle registration certificate, or certificate of title, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the storms. Such records shall be replaced without charge.  This provision also applies to all counties identified in my State of Emergency Proclamations dated February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019.
4. The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4602 and 5902, requiring the timely registration or transfer of title are suspended with regard to any registration or transfer of title by any resident of an impacted county who is unable to comply with those requirements as a result of the storms. The time covered by this suspension shall not be included in calculating any late penalty pursuant to Vehicle Code section 9554. This provision also applies to all counties identified in my State of Emergency Proclamations dated February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019.
5. Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees are hereby suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the storms. Such copies shall be provided without charge. This provision also applies to all counties identified in my State of Emergency Proclamations dated February 21, 2019, and February 28, 2019.

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. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 12th day of April 2019.

GAVIN NEWSOM

Governor of California

ATTEST:

ALEX PADILLA

Secretary of State