July 6, 2019 - SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an emergency proclamation for neighboring San Bernardino County which was also impacted by the effects of a second large magnitude earthquake near Ridgecrest that has damaged critical infrastructure, homes and other structures and caused fires.

Earlier this evening, Governor Newsom issued the following statement on the work already underway by the state to assist the impacted communities.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement on the second large earthquake in Ridgecrest, felt throughout the region this evening:

“On behalf of all Californians, I offer my heartfelt support to those affected by tonight’s earthquake near Ridgecrest. The State of California will continue to offer support to aid residents in the region.

“Earlier this evening I formally requested a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to further support emergency response and recovery in impacted communities.

“I have also activated the State Operations Center in Mather, California to its highest level and the center is already working closely with state, federal and local emergency managers and first responders.”

For more information and updates, follow the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services on Twitter at @Cal_OES or visit www.oes.ca.gov.

The full text of the emergency proclamation can be viewed below.

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on July 4, 2019, I proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in Kern County due to a magnitude 6.4 earthquake centered near the City of Ridgecrest; and

WHEREAS that earthquake caused significant damage throughout the region, including neighboring San Bernardino County, and

WHEREAS on July 5, 2019, a 7.1 earthquake struck in the same vicinity, causing widespread and significant damage to critical infrastructure, including roads, water lines, and gas lines, resulting in multiple structural fires; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in San Bernardino County due to the earthquake; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8558(b), I find that the conditions caused by the earthquake, by reason of its magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to appropriately respond; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8625(c), I find that local authority is inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the damage caused by the earthquake; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of Government Code section 8571, I find that strict compliance with various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the earthquake.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the State Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code section 8625, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in San Bernardino County.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. All orders contained in my State of Emergency Proclamation dated July 4, 2019, remain in full force and effect and shall apply to San Bernardino County.

1. The Office of Emergency Services shall provide local government assistance to San Bernardino County, if appropriate, under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act, Government Code section 8680 et seq., and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, section 2900 et seq.

1. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services shall ensure adequate state staffing to expedite disaster response and recovery efforts.  Consistent with applicable federal law, work hour limitations for retired annuitants and permanent and intermittent personnel are suspended. Furthermore, reinstatement and work hour limitations in Government Code sections 21220, 21224(a), and 7522.56(b), (d), (f), and (g), and the time limitations in Government Code section 19888.1 and California Code of Regulations, title 2, sections 300-303, are suspended. The Director of the California Department of Human Resources must be notified of any individual employed pursuant to these waivers.

1. Any fairgrounds that the Office of Emergency Services determines are suitable for temporary sheltering for fire survivors shall be made available to the Office of Emergency Services pursuant to Government Code section 8589. The Office of Emergency Services shall notify the fairgrounds of the intended use and can immediately utilize the fairgrounds without the fairground board of directors’ approval.

1. Any state-owned properties that the Office of Emergency Services determines are suitable for temporary sheltering for fire survivors shall be made available to the Office of Emergency Services for this purpose in accordance with Government Code section 8570.

1. The Office of Emergency Services shall evaluate state properties that can be refurbished or improved to be made suitable for temporary sheltering. The costs associated with making these properties suitable for temporary sheltering shall be paid for utilizing California Disaster Assistance Act funding, pursuant to Government Code section 8680 et seq., and Code of Regulations, title 19, section 2900 et seq.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 5th day of July 2019.

GAVIN NEWSOM

Governor of California

ATTEST:

ALEX PADILLA

Secretary of State