SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency proclamation for Mendocino and San Luis Obispo Counties following the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan, which generated a water surge along the California coast, causing damage to ports, harbors and infrastructure. This follows the emergency proclamation issued by the Governor for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties on March 11, 2011…..

The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in Honshu, Japan generated a tsunami wave, causing a water surge to hit the California coastline; and

WHEREAS on March 11, 2011, I proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz due to the destruction caused by the water surge; and

WHEREAS the effects of the water surge continue to threaten the coastal counties of the state; and

WHEREAS the water surge inundated California beaches, ports and harbors, destroyed public and private property, and required emergency response and continuing clean-up efforts; and

WHEREAS the water surge necessitated the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters; and

WHEREAS on March 14, 2011, the City of Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County proclaimed a local emergency; and

WHEREAS on March 15, 2011, Mendocino County adopted a resolution proclaiming a local emergency and requested that I proclaim a state of emergency for the county; and

WHEREAS the circumstances of this tsunami and water surge, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge impacting the counties of Mendocino and San Luis Obispo.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., 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, section 8625 of the California Government Code, HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist within the counties of Mendocino and San Luis Obispo.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that all agencies of state government utilize and employ state personnel, equipment, and facilities for the performance of any and all activities consistent with the direction of my California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and the State Emergency Plan and that Cal EMA provide local government assistance under the authority of the California Disaster Assistance Act.

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 16th day of March 2011.

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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California

ATTEST:

____________________________________
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State