The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has declared an emergency situation in the state of California due to heavy rains and floods since Sunday, which have so far left twelve people dead.
In a statement, the President authorized the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to «coordinate all disaster management measures and alleviate the suffering caused by the emergency on the local population».
Thus, it has highlighted the need to «provide the necessary assistance (…) to save lives and protect private property while reducing the threat of a catastrophe in counties such as El Dorado, Los Angeles, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Sacramento and Santa Cruz, among others».
FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and deliver «equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impact of the emergency.» «Protective measures, limited to federal assistance, will allow for the delivery of appropriate funding,» he said.
The National Weather Service said the storm, which has left 100,000 people without power in Sacramento County, will peak between Monday and Tuesday, The Washington Post reported.
The cumulative effect of the rains is expected to cause further flooding, including «rapid water surges, landslides and the potential for major river flooding,» the National Weather Service has warned.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
