LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The county of Lake and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport are set to receive more than $900,000 in emergency funding as the result of an emergency proclamation issued by the governor on Monday.
Behind the scenes, Lake County Office of Emergency Manager Marisa Chilafoe is credited for her efforts to get the state assistance, which included putting more than 150 hours into the 2014 December Winter Storms project.
On Monday, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued an emergency proclamation for Lake County due to the effects of the rainstorm that began on Dec. 11, 2014.
The December storm brought heavy rains, strong winds, localized flooding and power outages, resulting in widespread damage throughout Lake County.
This resulted in nearly $4.1 million in damages, including the damage to Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville and the landslide blocking Hill Road in North Lakeport.
With the passage of the proclamation, Caltrans is now authorized to formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program for Lake County. The funds will assist in highway repairs or reconstruction from damage suffered during to the storm.
The proclamation also authorizes the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA).
These funds for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of eligible costs, while FHWA funding is provided on a sliding scale depending upon the project.
This emergency funding is expected to equal more than $900,000 for the county and two cities combined, as part of the Lake Operational Area system led by the Lake County Office of Emergency Services.
“Lake County Department of Public Works is very appreciative of the governor’s consideration and proclamation to include us in this State of Emergency. The proclamation allows us to apply for funds that will reimburse the department’s reserves that were used for storm response, debris removal, and permanent repairs,” said Lake County Director of Public Works Scott De Leon.
The Village Neighborhood in Clearlake suffered road damage due to flooding as did Burns Valley Creek. The funds can be utilized to help clear the creek to prevent future flooding and repair road damage.
Lakeport suffered localized flooding, including having to prepare emergency access to Willow Point Resort, when a bridge washed out. These funds will help Lakeport recover the cost of the cleanup.
“The city of Clearlake is very pleased to learn of this news,” Joan Phillipe, city manager for the Clearlake said. “The December storms were particularly harsh creating damage that the city can ill afford. Receiving this assistance is a tremendous help in augmenting already stretched financial resources. The collaboration during and after this event was huge and shows the payoff of working together for everyone’s benefit.”
Funding is not easy to get. “There is a very specific process that must be followed in order to become eligible for these funds,” said Chilafoe.
Some of those steps included the appropriate Emergency Operation Center, or EOC, activation, the enhanced training of county staff to fill EOC positions, local emergency declaration and subsequent extensions, operational area agency partnerships and thorough damage assessment and reporting. Properly completely these tasks contributed to the success of the response as well as satisfying the requirements to receive this financial aid.
“I am particularly pleased that Sen. Mike McGuire was a strong proponent for Lake County in encouraging the governor to make this proclamation,” Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Anthony Farrington said. “McGuire’s staff and the Lake County OES worked hard to create a partnership and firmly advocated for these funds for Lake County.”
This funding will allow Lake County to provide Public Assistance to Lake County agencies including repairs to critical infrastructure, government/public buildings, roads, creeks/streams, as well as expenses related to response, debris cleanup and emergency protective measures in the form of reimbursement.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry was happy when he got the news. “This is a great accomplishment for Lake County. The Lake County OES and County staff responded well to this storm event resulting in not only timely service to the public but also state and federal funding in the recovery period.”
Gov. Brown proclaims state of emergency in Lake County due to December storm; county, cities to receive $900,000
- Lake County News reports
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