Board ratifies local emergency for recent storms, prepares CDAA damage estimates

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 ratified a local emergency proclamation covering the Sept. 27 rain event and related storms, and directed staff to prepare damage estimates to seek state assistance through the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA).

Chief of Emergency Services (Chief Lancer) told the board he had proclaimed a local emergency on Oct. 1 after storms caused damage to roads and bridges in eastern Imperial County, notably in the Winterhaven area. He said the board had seven days to ratify the proclamation and that the county will submit CDAA requests once preliminary damage estimates are ready so Cal OES can begin review.

The chief asked the board to ratify the local emergency so staff could proceed with gathering and finalizing damage estimates; he noted the county will be required to submit estimates quickly after initiating a CDAA request. The board approved the ratification and asked staff to continue monitoring weather forecasts for another incoming system.

Notes: The board also heard an update on forecast uncertainty and was told National Weather Service percentages for rain were highest on the coming Friday (about 24% in staff comments), with staff preparing for potential additional impacts.