City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a local state of emergency as the city is both recovering from and awaiting destructive storms.

The declaration allows the Emergency Operations Organization (EOO) to be activated and aid the city in “protection of life and property.”

She also asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom to “waive regulations that may hinder response and recovery efforts.”

Over the weekend, Newsom asked U.S. President Joe Biden to approve a federal emergency declaration, which was granted and allowed the state to receive support from the Dept. of Homeland Security, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The northern and central regions of California experienced deadly flooding that claimed the lives of at least 19, as well as 60 mph winds that affected power lines and left thousands without power through the storms.

Los Angeles also experienced severe flooding, causing sinkholes in multiple areas, as well as making roads impassable.

In the foothill areas of L.A. County, residents had to watch for mudslides and road closures due to water damage.

“The National Weather Service is projecting additional storm activity beginning Saturday, January 14, 2023, which will further cripple the City’s ability to mitigate cascading impacts of the continuous storms,” Bass wrote in the declaration. “… there exists the potential that said incidents are likely to become beyond the control of the normal services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the regularly constituted branches and departments of the City Government.”

City departments will continue to assess damage and costs in order to receive state and federal assistance wherever needed.

Storms from the atmospheric river are expected to hit southern California again Saturday, with an expectation to continue into Tuesday of next week. As of this writing, there are no flood or wind advisories given for Los Angeles County.

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