A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF FORTUNA CONFIRMING THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO EARTHQUAKE
DAMAGE, DECEMBER 20, 2022
(By the City Manager, Director of Emergency Services)
WHEREAS, Ordinance 97-611. of the City of Fortuna empowers the City Manager (Director of Emergency Services) to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when said city is affected or likely to be affected by a public calamity and the City Council is not in session; and
WHEREAS on December 20, 2022, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurred off the Northern California coastline near the City of Ferndale in Humboldt County, and 50+ aftershocks impacting local and tribal communities; and WHEREAS the earthquake resulted in strong motion shaking that damaged roads, bridges and buildings, including schools, and resulted in structure fires; and WHEREAS the earthquake has displaced hundreds of individuals, and resulted in multiple injuries and two fatalities; and
WHEREAS the earthquake has forced road closures, including closure of the Fernbridge on Highway 211; and
WHEREAS the earthquake has caused widespread power outages and communications cell tower outages, impacting thousands of customers in the City of Fortuna; and
WHEREAS the earthquake damaged critical lifeline infrastructure, including water lines and gas lines, impacting communities throughout the county; and WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), the Governor of the State of California findsthat conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in Humboldt County due to the earthquake; and NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED that a local emergency now exists throughout Fortuna, California; and
IT IS FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that during the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions, and duties of the emergency organization of this city shall be those prescribed by state law, by ordinances, and resolutions of this city, and by the City of Fortuna Emergency Plan, as approved by the City Council.
Dated: December 21, 2022
By:
_____________________________________
City Manager (Director of Emergency Services)
City of Fortuna