Newsom Proclaims State Of Emergency After Flooding In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency Tuesday in San Diego County to support recovery efforts after heavy rain caused widespread flooding across the region.

The proclamation, which was also issued for Ventura County, covers this week's storm as well as storms in late December and early January.

"These winter storms caused widespread flooding, mudslides, and debris flows threatening life and safety, structures, and other critical infrastructure," the proclamation states. "The impacts from these winter storms also caused evacuations, road and school closures, and widespread damage to public and private property."

The emergency proclamation includes provisions for unemployment benefits for impacted residents, and waives fees to replace records such as driver's license cards and birth certificates. The declaration also allows for fairgrounds and state-owned properties to be used as evacuation and staging sites consistent with the direction of the Office of Emergency Services and the State Emergency Plan.

The National Weather Service reported that Monday was the fourth wettest day in San Diego since 1850.

The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on Monday. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also declared a state of emergency in the city of San Diego due to the impact of the storm.