Continuing the City’s urgent proactive and coordinated response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this morning signed a Declaration of Local Emergency that will ensure the city has the required resources to respond to the storm’s impacts. On Sunday at 8:00 AM, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center transitioned to a Level 2 Activation ahead of the height of the storm.
“Good morning everyone. First, I want to begin by thanking our first responders who since yesterday afternoon, have been actively responding to this historic storm. Yesterday marked the tenth wettest day in the history of this city since recording rain amounts in 1877… Tenth wettest day in the history of the city,” the Mayor said.
DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
By virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.27 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, I hereby find the following:
WHEREAS, a powerful, slow moving, atmospheric river storm system struck California beginning on or about February 3, 2024, and is expected to continue for several days threatening life and safety, public and private property and structures, and other critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles began experiencing significant impacts as a result of high winds and substantial precipitation brought on by the atmospheric river storm system; and
WHEREAS, this weather system has caused, or is substantially likely to cause, extreme conditions such as power outages, damage to power poles, fallen trees, slope failures, numerous locations with substantial mud and debris flows and flooding, and red and yellow tagged structures; and
WHEREAS, this weather system has caused, or is substantially likely to cause, multiple road closures due to debris flow and related water damage, impacting significant transportation arteries requiring long-term repair and threatening the integrity of the City’s infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the numerous wildfires over the last several years throughout the Southern California region, including the City of Los Angeles, have caused massive burn scars, exacerbating the potential for precipitation to cause dangerous mud and debris flows; and
WHEREAS the National Weather Service has issued multiple Winter Storm Warnings, High Wind Warnings, Wind Advisories, and Flood and Flash Flood Watches throughout the State, including the City of Los Angeles, in anticipation of the potential impacts from the atmospheric river storm system, which include dangerous and life-threatening flooding and debris flows, heavy snow, and damaging wind causing property damage and power outages; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has also issued high surf advisories impacting coastal communities throughout California, forecasting large breaking waves and dangerous rip currents; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service is projecting additional significant storm activity in the coming days, which will further cripple the City of Los Angeles’ ability to mitigate cascading impacts of the continuous atmospheric river storm system; and
WHEREAS, on February 4, 2024, as a result of the atmospheric river storm system, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a Local Emergency in the County of Los Angeles and the Governor of California proclaimed a State of Emergency in the Southern California area, including the County of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center was activated on February 4, 2024 in response to this storm; and
WHEREAS, based upon the above events, by reason of its magnitude, and the need to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents and property of the City of Los Angeles, there exists the potential that these events are likely to become beyond the control of the normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the regularly constituted branches and departments of the City Government.
NOW, THEREFORE, I HEREBY DECLARE the existence of a Local Emergency throughout the City of Los Angeles.
I HEREBY DIRECT the Emergency Operations Organization to be immediately activated and to take such steps that are necessary for the protection of life and property.
I FURTHER DIRECT that all City Departments impacted by this event, and its ongoing effects, continue to conduct damage assessments and collect any relevant cost estimates.
I FURTHER DIRECT that this Declaration of Local Emergency shall take effect immediately and that widespread publicity and notice shall be given said Declaration through the most feasible and adequate means of disseminating such notice throughout the City.
I HEREBY REQUEST that the Governor waive regulations that may hinder response and recovery efforts.
This Declaration of Local Emergency is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive, or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the City of Los Angeles, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
