CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
January 24, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Linda Matthews, Human Resources/Risk Management Director SUBJECT: EMERGENCY DECLARATION DUE TO WINDSTORM OF JANUARY 21 AND 22, 2022 RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-21 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING A LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO THE WINDSTORM ON JANUARY 21 AND 22, 2022.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Approval of the attached resolution (Attachment No. 1) will proclaim a local emergency due to the severe windstorm on January 21 and 22, 2022. Proclaiming the existence of a local emergency is a necessary measure in order to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid, in order to successfully address the impacts of the windstorm and seek future reimbursement by the State and Federal governments.
FISCAL IMPACT: A proclamation declaring an emergency has no direct fiscal impact. This action may enable the City to receive reimbursement for costs related to providing response and services due to this emergency. The initial estimates of fiscal impact of the windstorms is in the process of being calculated.
DISCUSSION:
On January 21 and January 22, 2022, unusually strong Santa Ana winds struck the Southern California area. In the City of Pomona, the strongest wind gusts were measured at 39 miles per hour (mph). These high winds caused significant damage and the City has received over 100 storm-related calls for service and/or public works requests. There were numerous reports of falling trees and tree limbs; damage to fences, walls, cars, and other structures; and numerous blocked streets and sidewalks. There are at least three structures deemed uninhabitable due to the storm. As a result of the large amount of downed trees and/or limbs, numerous City staff and contractors were mobilized to assist in the removal of the debris. There were also significant power outages in some parts of the City.
Approval of this emergency proclamation will help ensure the City can mobilize resources needed to respond and recover from this disaster and potentially be eligible for recovery assistance pursuant to the California Disaster Assistance Act and any other appropriate federal disaster relief programs.
Prepared by: Chris Millard, Risk Manager
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment No. 1 – Resolution No. 2022-21
Emergence Declaration Windstorms January 2022