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Humboldt County has fallen victim to the wrath of last week’s severe winter storm. And although it may not seem that the North Coast was hit as hard as other areas in California, local officials say the storm “created conditions of extreme peril to the safety of people and property.” On Tuesday the sheriff’s office will request the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to declare a local emergency.
“So what that means is that the county just doesn’t have the resources to adequately respond to this type of emergency because there’s so much damage,” said the county’s public information officer, Sean Quincey.
A big concern is the storm’s crippling effect on deteriorating roads and old infrastructure.
In addition, the sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services will present a comprehensive report to the board. It will include information collected thus far and the latest on those dealing with the aftermath.
OES worked diligently before, during and after the storm to keep the public safe. They pre-staged resources in vulnerable areas, closed dozens of roads, and collaborated with a wide range of entities and volunteers. They say damage assessments are ongoing and anyone with damaged property should formally submit their losses if they hope to be compensated.
The county says channels for federal funding could open up and become easier to obtain if Governor Jerry Brown declares a statewide emergency.