WESTMINSTER : Council to Act on Flood Emergency

The City Council today will consider whether to ratify the state of emergency that City Manager Bill Smith declared after the Jan. 4 floods.

Smith, director of city emergency services, said council confirmation is necessary to enable residents and business owners affected by the flooding to seek state and federal assistance.

Parts of California, including Orange County, have been declared federal and state disaster areas in response to the floods and heavy rains earlier this month.

Mayor Charles V. Smith proclaimed a state of emergency Jan. 11, but today’s council action will confirm that “we have the same emergency conditions as the county does,” Smith said.

It’s a routine action the council must take, he said.

Deputy City Manager Don Vestal said the city suffered about $963,000 in damages from the floods, including about $350,000 to private properties.

In addition, he said, the city spent $20,000 to clean up.

With more rain expected this week, the city will continue to provide residents with sandbags and other assistance, including emergency food and clothing, officials said.

Sondra Evans of the city’s Community Services Department said sandbags will be available at the city yard, 14381 Olive St. Each household is limited to 12 sandbags of 40 pounds each, she said.

Residents who need help or want to donate food, clothing or other items may contact the City and Neighborhood Disaster Outreach help line at (714) 895-2860, Evans said.