Clear Lake ratifies local emergency after storm-related landslide threat

The Clear Lake City Council unanimously ratified a local emergency Feb. 15 after staff discovered a landslide tied to recent winter storms that threatens private property and newly constructed public infrastructure.

City Manager Flora, who said he had declared the emergency under his authority as director of emergency services, told the council the slide was found following an inspection prompted by public reports. "This emergency is related to that one particular area," Flora said, adding the situation has "risen beyond what we're likely to have local resources to cover." He said the declaration allows the city to move more quickly on contracting and to seek potential funding from Cal OES/Caltrans or FEMA.

Flora told the council the city has been working with geotechnical engineers and contractors to develop options and has submitted some paperwork to Caltrans for emergency response funding; if Caltrans funding is not available staff will pursue FEMA as a backup. The manager said countywide damage thresholds make FEMA participation plausible but Caltrans might be quicker for an urgent fix.

Councilmember Prodock asked whether county public-works would be involved because the slide could affect egress for county residents; Flora said the site is within city jurisdiction and Caltrans and FEMA discussions are moving forward. The council voted to ratify the emergency and asked staff to continue developing a remediation plan and pursue available funding.

The vote ratified the manager’s proclamation and authorized staff to request the governor proclaim a state of emergency on the city’s behalf; council gave unanimous support.