County of Orange seeks Presidential disaster declaration for winter storm damage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2011

Contact: Donna Boston at 714.628.7054 office or Howard Sutter 714.834.6203

County of Orange seeks Presidential Disaster Declaration for Winter Storm Damage

(Santa Ana, CA) — Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Campbell and Fifth District Supervisor Patricia C. Bates today sent President Obama and Federal officials a letter urging the issuance of a disaster declaration for Orange County and other California counties as a result of damage from the devastating December 2010 winter storms.

The letter details the cities and communities hardest hit by flooding, mudslides and debris flows, with damage in Orange County alone estimated at $36 million. With the full impact of the storms still being assessed and damage recovery costs climbing higher each day, the Supervisors urge the President to provide the supplementary federal assistance required to protect property and the public’s health and safety.

“Many Orange County residents are struggling to recover from this disaster, with recovery work expected to continue until at least March,” said Chairman Campbell.

“A number of people are still out of their homes due to storm damage, some rural roads have been closed for three weeks and our flood control systems need extensive repair before more storms arrive. It is critical that federal assistance be made available as soon as possible.”

The County of Orange issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency on December 20 with the Governor proclaiming a State of Emergency for Orange and five other counties on December 21. A Federal disaster declaration is necessary to authorize available federal assistance for public and private property damage.

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