Help is on the way for Mendocino County after heavy storms at the end of last year caused more damage than local crews could handle on their own. Governor Gavin Newsom has now declared a state of emergency, clearing the path for state resources and possibly federal aid. Officials say the storms hit roads and infrastructure hard, especially highways, and recovery work is still ongoing. The goal now is getting those repairs done faster and more safely with added support. There’s also a separate emergency declaration for Arcata tied to that major downtown fire earlier this year.