Pacific Gas and Electric says they’ve had 5,000 people responding to power outages since this series of storms began on New Year’s Eve in Northern and Central California, the largest storm response in company history with contractors and mutual aid from Southern California, Canada, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming with more on the way. They say they’ve restored more than 1.6 million customers since January 1. As of today at noon, just over 80,000 customers are without power but more storms on the way have them positioning for much more.
Lake County residents who lose power or otherwise need to escape the elements are reminded you can come to county libraries and Peer Support Centers operated by Lake County Behavioral Health Services. The County says these are not formal shelters and there are no overnight services but it is a place to go, provided they have power as well. This includes the Lakeport Library, Redbud Library in Clearlake, Middletown Library and Upper Lake Library. The County Peer Support Centers include the Big Oak Center in Clearlake Oaks, Circle of Native Minds Cultural Center in Lakeport, Harbor on Main in Lakeport and La Voz de la Esperanza Wellness Center in Lakeport.
President Joe Biden has approved California’s Emergency Declaration for the storms, flooding, and mudslides that began Sunday. The approval authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide equipment and resources. However it is not a “major emergency” declaration as with wildfires so there is no Individual Assistance But California Attorney General Rob Bonta says what is included is protection against price gouging. Costs of essential supplies like food, gas, medical supplies and building materials should not suddenly rise more than 10% from before the emergency. That also includes repair and cleanup services as well as lodging, like hotels and Airbnb’s.
The California Department of Water Resources says several more of these atmospheric river storms are on the horizon but ironically may not resolve the drought. Lake County News reports Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth said Monday in a briefing with reporters that California is currently in the midst of both a drought and flood emergency and it’s too soon to tell what the series of storms will mean for the drought overall. She says the next atmospheric river storm that will hit later this week is expected to even last longer and hit Northern California somewhat harder.
