The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Dec. 31 to ratify a proclamation of local emergency for the late-December winter storm, a measure the chair said will help the county mobilize resources, request mutual aid and pursue state and federal assistance.

Ken McGowan, director for the Office of Emergency Management, told the board the county is collecting initial damage estimates from departments and the 88 cities and will transmit consolidated figures to the state. "For LA County, it's over $46,000,000 that we have to meet in all of those costs," he said, referring to the public-assistance threshold for reimbursement of government emergency response, debris removal and infrastructure impacts. He added the state uses a separate indicator (about $70,000,000) when deciding whether to ask the federal government for a disaster declaration.

The ratification follows county reports of heavy rainfall, strong winds, localized flooding, debris flows and rapidly rising creeks Dec. 23–26. Board members thanked county employees, first responders and partner agencies for evacuation warnings, door‑to‑door contacts and rescue operations. The chair noted a county fire department rescue of a person experiencing homelessness from the San Jose Creek Diversion Channel and said 175 additional hotel vouchers were made available through LAHSA and the winter shelter program to assist displaced residents.

Public Health reported continued ocean-water contamination at Cabrillo Beach tied to a large sewage overflow. "The ocean water closure does remain in effect due to the sewage spill affecting Cabrillo Beach," said Stella Fogelman, director of the emergency preparedness and response division for Public Health, adding that water samples taken Monday failed to meet state standards and that reopening requires two consecutive passing samples. County and sanitation officials estimated the Carson-area overflow at about 100,000 gallons and said crews completed cleanup around the spill site and are working with public-works engineers to reduce future risks.

Sheriff Robert Luna described expanded outreach during the event: the department's citizen-evacuation tracker and deputies' door-knock program logged "over 140 contacts of people" warned to evacuate. Luna also said the department issued citations during the event for people ignoring closure signs. The board heard from Public Works and the flood-control district about engineering measures in places including the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Tujunga and Altadena and about the challenge of shifting drainage patterns where land movement has changed surface flows.

A remote public commenter asked the board to address homelessness in connection with storm safety; staff reminded callers to limit remarks to the agenda item under discussion. After brief public comment, the chair moved to approve the item; Supervisor Barger seconded the motion. The executive officer called roll and each supervisor voted "Aye." The motion passed 5 to 0.

Officials said they will continue to gather damage estimates, forward them to the state and work with FEMA Region 9 on any next steps for federal assistance. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m.