Placer Supervisors ratify emergency for winter storms

The Placer County Board of Supervisors ratified a local emergency proclamation due to recent winter storms during its Tuesday meeting. The local emergency was proclaimed Jan. 5 by County Executive Officer Jane Christenson as a result of the ongoing response to recent storms. According to the staff report, the Dec. 26 storm caused flooding, downed trees and power outages, and the Jan. 4 storm produced the possibility of triggering debris flows in the River Fire and Mosquito Fire burn scar areas. Dave Atkinson, assistant director of Placer County Emergency Services, described the recent storms as "a county-wide event," noting staff has responded to a number of incidents, including flooding in the Truckee River, plugged culverts in Michigan Bluff and a rockslide on Ophir Road. "Those high winds and heavy rains have brought down numerous trees and powerlines, and we got a report this morning that we have about 5,000 folks without power in Placer County due to just that last burst of wind and rain," Atkinson said of Tuesday morning's storm. Placer's proclamation followed the Jan. 4 state of emergency proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to the storm activity, which supports emergency relief efforts, according to a news release from the Office of the Governor. According to the staff report, Newsom's proclamation also ordered the State Office of Emergency Services to make assistance available to local governments under the California Disaster Assistance Act. Additionally, President Joe Biden proclaimed an emergency declaration and ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal and local responses to storm, flood and mudslide response efforts, according to a White House news release. "Since the staff report was written, Placer County has been included as one of 17 counties in a federal emergency declaration issued by the president yesterday morning," Atkinson said. Atkinson advised Placer IT developed a private property damage assessment survey for impacted residents to complete. Atkinson confirmed they have received 100 entries to date and encourages property owners to complete the survey. "That's how we're going to be able to collect data to advocate for our communities on their behalf to bring additional assistance from the state and federal government," he said. District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson asked if Foresthill property owners whose property has been damaged due to public property should complete the survey. Atkinson confirmed they should and advised those residents should also sign up for the consolidated debris removal program. "While the New Year's Eve storm has been the most impactful so far … we're not out of the woods yet," Atkinson said. "We have a few more storms, that we're aware of, lined up and we will continue to lean forward and make sure we're prepared for those." The board ratified the proclamation in a unanimous vote.