VISALIA (KMJ) — A local emergency has been declared in Tulare County by its Board of Supervisors, in response to flood damage brought on by the recent wet winter.
“I know there have been some areas where some roads have washed out, in the southern county area”, reveals the Board of Supervisors Amy Shuklian.
“I believe Alpaugh have had quite a bit of flooding and road damage, and possibly in the Three Rivers area.”
The District 3 representative says the damage estimate stands at around $300,000.
The item, which appeared on Tuesday morning’s agenda, asked those behind the dais whether or not they approved of the declaration.
During the meeting, Tulare County’s Director of Health and Human Services revealed that – to claim federal and state funding – an amount has to be met before action can be taken.
“The board has discretion to declare or proclaim an emergency,” says Jason Britt. “Typically, to get federal funding or disaster funding from the state there is a threshold that is calculated at like $3.17 per resident. Which for Tulare County makes it a $1.5 million threshold.
“However, there are other benefits to the proclamation that could be available through USDA funding for agriculture if they have a 30% or more crop loss. There may some benefits to individuals who have insurance policies.”
Language in the proclamation made reference to “anticipated future threats…posed by ongoing snow melt.” But Britt adds that any future emergency would have to have its own proclamation before any external money could be accessed.
However, the resolution was passed unanimously by Supervisors.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
