FLOOD03436

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Hazard Mitigation Report in response to 1/10/95 disaster declaration for California
• Date: 4/26/1995
• Prepared For: State of California
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Historic FEMA Regulatory Floodplain Information

Gxecutive Summal''J

On January 10, 1995, President Clinton declared a major disaster in the State
of California due to severe winter storms that began on January 3, 1995.
Twenty-four counties were eligible for federal and state disaster assistance.
By the close of the incident period on February 10, 1995,38 of the 58 counties in the
State were declared. Additional counties may be included. (See Figure A)

For approximately two weeks, a series of severe winter storms passed through the
State of California producing high winds and record breaking rainfall. This rain
caused extensive flooding to homes, businesses, public facilities and infrastructure,
The rainfall ranged from two to four times the normal precipitation rates for the month
of January. Riverine flooding, flash flooding or sheet runoff caused an estimated total
of over $1 billion in private and public damages. Overall the disaster contributed to
10 deaths, approximately $860 million in damage to private property, $294 million to
public facilities, $93 million in agricultural damage and millions of dollars to the
business community.

Aware of the continued increase in disaster costs and recognizing the multi-
jurisdictional issues involved, the Federal government has adopted a comprehensive,
coordinated approach to hazard mitigation. The Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team
lIHMTI is the method used to coordinate mitigation activities mandated by the Office
of Management and Budget 10MB). The team recommendations identified for funding
under Section 404 of the Stafford Act must be cost-effective and substantially reduce
the risk of future damage, hardship, loss or suffering,

Under Section 409 of the Stafford Act, an up-to.date State Hazard Mitigation Plan is
required as a condition for Federal Disaster Assistance. This report will serve as the
foundation for updating the State Mitigation Plan. After further analysis and with the
full coordination of all affected state and local agencies, additional mitigation measures
will likely be identified in the State Mitigation Plan.

..

An early implementation strategy was developed by the Governor's Office of
Emergency Services IOES), California Department of Water Resources IDWR) and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency IFEMA). This strategy set the stage for
implementing immediate mitigation actions for all disaster assistance programs and
recovery efforts. Mitigation field assessment teams met with community officials from
heavily impacted areas to determine damages and mitigation opportunities and to
provide technical assistance on floodplain management issues. Recommendations that
could be accomplished during the initial recovery period by other agencies are also
included in the Early Implementation Strategy.

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