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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE
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DATE:
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January 26 2006
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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January 31, 2006
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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N/A
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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John L. Maltbie, County Manager
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SUBJECT:
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Continuation of a Local State of Emergency
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Make a finding to continue the local state of emergency in San Mateo County relating to the storm of December 31, 2005.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: ensure basic health and safety for all
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Goal 7: Maintain and enhance public safety of all residents and visitors.
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BACKGROUND:
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Beginning on December 30, 2005, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) began notifying city and public safety agencies throughout the county of the California Weather Service (CWS) alert to the significant incoming winter storms approaching Northern California. On December 31, 2005 the storm resulted in significant damage in 23 Northern California counties. Throughout the extended holiday weekend, San Mateo County OES called-in public safety personnel from throughout the county, as well as County of San Mateo Public Works, Health Department, Human Services Agency, Information Services Department and Emergency Medical Services personnel to provide assistance.
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Damage in San Mate County included numerous landslides, road closures, downed power lines that left thousands of homes, business and public agencies without power for extended periods of time. There was flooding along the San Francisquito Creek in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, Pescadero and in bay front areas of Redwood City. Limited and temporary evacuations were necessary and an emergency shelter was opened in Redwood City at the Community Center on Roosevelt Avenue.
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County facilities suffered damage: the power outage rendered the County security card system in active at the Redwood City County Center. Personnel were unable to access County Center buildings as well as move emergency vehicles from the basement of the parking facility. This flaw in the system has since been remedied. Flooding in Redwood City resulted in limited access to the Women’s Jail and did irreparable damage to two of the Sheriff’s buses parked at the Women’s Jail. Auxiliary generators were required at two California Department of Forestry (CDF) stations: Pescadero and Edmonds Road, Redwood City. Due to age and their extended use during the power outage, the generators failed and replacements were required. Attached is a summary of the damage and cost estimates associated with this winter storm. As of this date, San Mateo County’s reported public and private loss due to storm damage is estimated to be upwards of $5.2 million.
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DISCUSSION:
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On January 24, 2006 your Board approved a declaration of a state of local emergency and a request for presidential designation to position the county eligible for any type of State of Federal Disaster assistance for emergency protective measures, emergency construction repair and restoration. January 2, 2006 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 23 counties, including San Mateo County.
The finding to continue the local state of emergency beginning on December 31, 2005 is necessary because the full impact and extent of the winter storms is not yet known.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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Declaration of a local state of emergency provides a potential source for reimbursement of costs associated with the 2005-06 winter storms.
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