COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

June 15, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 28, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John L. Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Emergency for San Mateo County due to 2004-05 Winter storms

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Make a finding to continue the local emergency caused by the series of 2004-05 winter storms that brought large amounts of wind and rain resulting in a tornado in South San Francisco and landslide in La Honda affecting homes and public property

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all

Goal(s): Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors

 

BACKGROUND:

In 1998 Winter Storms caused a landslide in La Honda that destroyed or damaged seven homes during a disaster that was Federally declared. With Federal assistance seven homes were purchased through the county. With the large amounts of rain this winter the slide in this area was reactivated. Two homes are immediately threatened and up to one hundred and one other homes could be affected as the slide expands.

The Scenic road has been significantly damaged by the slide. The La Cuesta Guild water line that runs along the road has been damaged and continues to be threatened by the ongoing earth movement. PG&E has been forced to re-route its electric lines. Despite dewatering efforts begun by the county in 1998, the slide is moving at the rate of a half a foot to one foot a day. County public works has installed three more dewatering pumps in the last week at a significant cost.

 
 

On March 20, 2005 a Class 1 tornado with winds over one hundred miles per hour swept from west to east across South San Francisco causing minor damage to many homes and very significant damage to businesses in the South San Francisco Industrial Park and a fire station under construction. The City of South San Francisco declared a state of emergency to cope with the emergency.

 

On April 12, 2005 this Board adopted Resolution 067242 proclaiming existence of a local emergency and requesting the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and request a presidential declaration.

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose for the county declaring state of local emergency and continuing it is to position the county eligible for any type of State or Federal Disaster assistance for emergency protective measures, emergency repair, restoration, and mitigation. By continuing the declaration we continue our potential eligibility for state and federal assistance if the slide expands and damages more public roads and private property. It will also give us the possibility of recouping portion of the money the county spends over the coming months.

 

A review of the current situation and circumstances indicates that there is a need for continuing the local emergency.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The continuing extension of the county state of emergency has no impact on the County General Fund. It provides a potential avenue of reimbursement for current and future costs.