Orange County activated its emergency operations center on Friday after two south county cities declared emergencies in response to damage from last weekend’s storm. However, county leaders remain divided on whether to declare an emergency for the entire county.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley urged the board to approve a county-wide emergency declaration. Foley stated that such a declaration would help free up necessary services from both state and federal governments. She also noted contact with Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, who reportedly agrees that a federal emergency declaration is needed to access federal resources. Foley pointed to specific "equipment problems" affecting the construction of a sea wall, where sea water is impacting the machinery. She suggested that an approved emergency declaration, potentially with state support, could secure federal resources, even if only for equipment. Foley also highlighted that City Councils in Dana Point and Laguna Beach have already approved their local emergencies. Additionally, she stated that officials in San Clemente and Newport Beach are requesting the county to declare an emergency. Foley emphasized the need to "be proactive," suggesting that "twenty more properties may be at risk" and questioning any reason for delay. She also disputed claims that an emergency declaration would affect insurance rates, stating, "None of this is insured anyway so what’s his point."
In contrast, Chairman Doug Chaffee expressed that a county-wide emergency declaration would be premature and could introduce several drawbacks. Chaffee indicated that the head of emergency operations for the county typically initiates such a declaration if it is deemed necessary, but this has not yet occurred. He specifically mentioned "some financial drawbacks if we do it at this time." Chaffee explained that a declaration might slow the disbursement of loan money from the federal housing authority. He also raised concerns that it could potentially impact insurance rates for homeowners. Chaffee concluded that county officials had reviewed the situation and found "no financial benefit to the county and no pending emergency right now," asserting that if a benefit arises at the appropriate time, action would be taken.
Amidst these discussions, Orange County Transportation Authority officials announced on Friday that rail service through San Clemente will remain closed throughout the weekend as repair efforts continue.
