LAKEPORT >> The declaration of local emergency that resulted from winter storm damages has been finally lifted.
Lake County Office of Emergency Services Manager Marisa Chilafoe told the Board of Supervisors the final emergency project had been completed and the county is now in the recovery phase.
The declaration was originally proclaimed on Dec. 11, after the storm began the prior evening. It was ratified by the board on Dec. 16. The storm brought with it heavy rains, strong winds, localized flooding and power outages, resulting in widespread issues throughout the county.
A total of approximately $4 million in damages resulted from the storm, a landslide blocking Hill Road in North Lakeport.
“As of April 23, Hill Road was reopened to through traffic following the removal of debris blocking access to the hospital … and thus the situation is now under control and there no longer exists an emergency,” Chilafoe explained.
However, the Lake County Public Works department is continuing to work on permanent repairs to allow safe access to the public.
In addition to ending the emergency proclamation, letters of appreciation were signed and sent to multiple representatives.
“The process to get the CDAA funding through the governor’s proclamation … was quite significant,” Chilafoe told the board. “We were not included in the original proclamation by the governor, and a lot of work by the Office of Emergency Services, as well as state leadership and our representatives went into getting Lake County included.”
No members of the public offered comment.
The board unanimously approved terminating the emergency declaration with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
