Newsom declares state of emergency for 7 NorCal counties following February storms

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for seven Northern California counties—Humboldt, Sonoma, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, and Trinity—following the catastrophic February storms. The storms caused extensive damage, including flooding, landslides, and road closures, with rainfall totals reaching up to 4 inches in some areas. Newsom cited conditions of extreme peril in his emergency declaration, highlighting the inadequacy of local authorities to manage the crisis. He ordered state agencies to assist with recovery efforts and authorized Caltrans to seek immediate federal highway aid. In Sonoma County, floodwaters resulted in two fatalities and led to widespread evacuations.

Major highways, including U. S. Highway 101 and Interstate Highway 5, were temporarily closed due to the flooding. The declaration also allows financial assistance for affected counties under the California Disaster Assistance Act. This emergency response illustrates the significant impact of severe weather on infrastructure and safety in Northern California.