Supervisors to Authorize Emergency Declaration to Seek State, Federal Relief

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA - In an effort to obtain relief funding, Riverside County supervisors are expected Tuesday to formally approve an emergency declaration related to the recent damaging winter storms that hit the region.

"Thousands of residents have been impacted by the storm event through power outages, road and school closures, debris removal, swift water rescues, identified flood-related traffic collisions, water treatment facility failures, a major communication system failure ... and private property damage," according to a preface included with the proclamation.

It will be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors' review as part of the policy agenda.

Gov. Jerry Brown did not list Riverside County among the 49 counties covered in his Jan. 23 State of Emergency declaration stemming from the heavy rains that swept the state over a five-day period. According to Riverside County Emergency Management Department Director Kim Saruwatari, the county was left out because no major travel arteries were damaged.

Of the nearly 40 roads shut down due to flooding, mud and debris flows during the storms, only three remain out of service, according to the county Department of Transportation.

However, there are other lingering "impacts" with which the county is continuing to deal, including infrastructure repairs in several locations, according to the resolution that the board is slated to approve.

Saruwatari told the board last week that the storm series resulted in 50 flood assist calls, 15 water rescue calls, 15 downed power line reports and at least 71 traffic collisions countywide. There were dozens of school closures, mostly in the Hemet and San Jacinto valleys, after washed out roads made travel extremely difficult.

State recognition of Riverside County's emergency proclamation would enable it to apply for state and federal relief funds to offset the cost of repairs.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo