Congressman Ken Calvert and other members of Congress are urging President Joe Biden to declare a federal state of emergency for Southern California in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary, according to a press release.
"Tropical Storm Hilary caused significant damage throughout the 41st Congressional District, especially in Coachella Valley, and other parts of California," Calvert said. "My colleagues and I in the California Delegation urge President Biden to stand ready to approve California's request for a major disaster declaration should state and local emergency officials require further federal assistance and coordination.
"It's absolutely critical that the federal government step up to the plate and avert further catastrophe by providing our residents, businesses and communities with the resources and assistance they need to help our region recover from this historic storm," he said.
Calvert, Congressman Raul Ruiz and other members of the California Delegation have issued statements urging Biden to declare a federal state of emergency for Southern California following extensive flooding due to Tropical Storm Hilary. The region has been impacted by widespread flooding, flowing debris and wind damage, according to the press release.
The occurrence of Tropical Storm Hilary in the region is an unusual event, according to a press release from Ruiz. Initially a Category 4 hurricane with winds reaching speeds of up to 145 mph, the storm transitioned into a Tropical Storm upon its arrival in Southern California. This prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm watch for SoCal for the first time.
"After Gov. Newson declared a state of emergency for the state of California on Saturday, I led a letter, along with my Inland Southern California colleagues, to President Biden urging him to send federal disaster assistance to Southern California," Ruiz said. "There has been extensive damage to our district after Tropical Storm Hilary and our communities need the resources to start rebuilding. I will continue to advocate for the federal disaster funding necessary to help ensure our communities recover from the storm's devastating effects."
The Stafford Act outlines two categories of disaster declarations: Emergency declarations and major disaster declarations, both of which empower the president to allocate additional federal disaster aid, Ruiz said. However, the circumstances triggering each type of declaration, as well as the extent and nature of assistance offered, exhibit variations. A major disaster declaration can be invoked by the president for any natural event, encompassing hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, high water, wind-driven water, tidal waves, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, mudslides, snowstorms, droughts, fires, floods or explosions that, in the president's assessment, have inflicted damage of such magnitude that state and local governments are insufficiently equipped to respond effectively. This declaration activates a wide array of federal aid programs, catering to both individuals and public infrastructure, with provisions for both immediate and permanent restoration efforts.