HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation of Local Emergency 03-23-2023 A PROCLAMATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES OF THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, Saratoga City Code Section 6-05.020 defines an emergency as the actual or
threatened conditions of disaster; and
WHEREAS, the Emergency Services Act, Government Code section 8630, and Saratoga
City Code Section 6-05.050 authorize the Director of Emergency Services or Acting Director in
the Director's absence to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when
the City of Saratoga is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity requires that the City
Council take action to ratify the proclamation within seven(7)days thereafter,or the proclamation
shall have no further force or effect; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 8680.9 and 8558(c), a
local emergency is a condition of extreme peril to persons or property proclaimed as such by the
local agency affected by a natural or manmade disaster; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of a local emergency proclamation is to provide extraordinary
powers to issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and
property as affected by such emergency, obtain vital supplies, and require emergency services of
employees; and
WHEREAS, a local emergency proclamation is a prerequisite for requesting state or
federal assistance; and
WHEREAS, threatened conditions of extreme peril to the safety of people and property
have arisen within the City of Saratoga caused by:
1. The San Francisco Bay Area region has seen a series of storms and atmospheric river systems
that have brought high winds and extraordinarily levels of precipitation start in late December
and continuing through March 2023.
2. The March 13 — 15, 2023 atmospheric river event produced winds that reached as high as 97
miles per hour at higher elevations and gusts in the range of 40 to 50 miles per hour at lower
elevations at locations throughout Santa Clara County. This was followed by a record-setting
low pressure system or "bomb cyclone" with high winds and rains March 21-22, 2023 and
forecasts for rain in the following week.
3. The combination of saturated soils and high winds caused numerous trees to fall and lose limbs
that blocked roadways,produced widespread and extended power outages,and damaged public
and private property and these conditions are expected to continue. The continued rain also
exacerbated soil stability concerns that started to emerge with the series of storms starting in
December 2022.
WHEREAS, the aforesaid conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the
services, pers.onnel, equipment, and facilities of the City of Saratoga; and
WHEREAS, the aforesaid conditions warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the
existence of a local emergency in the City on March 23, 2023 and establish that emergency
conditions are ongoing; and
WHEREAS, California Goveriunent Code, Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 7.5 - California
Disaster Assistance Act(CDAA)allows that with the Proclamation of a Local Emergency the City
may seek financial assistance and may request reimbursement of the significant expenses incurred
during response, if approved by the Director of the California Office of Emergency Services or
Concurrence or Governor's Proclamation; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT a local emergency exists throughout the
City of Saratoga from the time set forth below, and;
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said local
emergency,the powers,functions,and duties of the emergency organization of the City of Saratoga
sliail be those prescribed by State law, by ordinances and resolutions of this City; and, �hat this
emergency proclamation shall expire in 7 days after issuance unless confi d and ratified by the
City Council of the City of Saratoga.
Ja s ' , City Manager
13 77 Fruitvale Avenue
S atoga, CA 95070
Date: � �� 3 a,3
Time: 1 a. ' S v ��
1630�44.1