Acting Governor Requests Emergency Declarations For Riverside And San Bernardino Counties

Acting Gov. Abel Maldonado sent a letter to President Barack Obama today urging him to declare a major disaster in California due to the recent series of storms, citing damage in Riverside and 10 other counties.

“The storms, beginning December 18, 2010, and continuing, have brought high winds and excessive precipitation statewide and have caused injuries, flooding and severe mud and debris flows,” Maldonado wrote. “These events have destroyed and damaged public facilities and private property throughout the state and continue to threaten the lives and safety of many Californians.”

A disaster declaration by the president would free up federal funds and resources to help respond to damage caused by the storms.

Last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued emergency declarations earlier for Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Tulare counties. Maldonado later issued emergency declarations for Los Angeles, Kings, Santa Barbara, Inyo and San Diego counties.

In his letter to Obama, Maldonado noted that the cost of responding to damage across the state is expected to exceed $111.5 million.

“I request direct federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property,” he wrote. “Due to the severity of this disaster, it may take some time for state or local governments to perform or contract for this type of work and these services.”