Title
Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services recommending the Board of Supervisors adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 047-2026 ratifying the local state of emergency proclamation declared by the Director of Emergency Services (Sheriff Jeff Leikauf) because of the severe February 2026 Storm throughout Northern California, significantly impacting El Dorado County bringing substantial precipitation and snowfall in areas unaccustomed to snow, which resulted in power outages and damages.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 17, 2026, a severe storm fell on El Dorado County, bringing substantial precipitation and heavy snow, resulting in power outages and damage to infrastructure. To preserve life, the Sheriff’s Office and Department of Transportation staff may need additional resources due to the local emergency. El Dorado County has not identified the full extent of damage experienced from the storm due to existing snow on the ground. This proclamation of a local emergency sets in motion El Dorado County's ability to seek assistance from State and Federal resources.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 8630, the Board of Supervisors, or an official designated by the Board by ordinance may declare a Local Emergency. Government Code 8558 defines a Local Emergency as “the proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by conditions such as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, drought, cyber terrorism, sudden and severe energy shortage, plant or animal infestation or disease, the Governor’s warning of an earthquake or volcanic prediction, or an earthquake, or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of that political subdivision and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.” Chapter 2.21 of the County Ordinance Code designates the Sheriff as the Director of the Office of Emergency Services and delegates to the Director the authority to declare a Local Emergency when the Board is not in session. The Sheriff proclaimed the existence of a local emergency on February 20, 2026. This action must be reviewed and ratified by the Board within seven days, in accordance with California Government Code Section 8630.
The Proclamation of the existence of a local emergency by the Director of Emergency Services due to the February 2026 Storm requires reaffirmation by the Board of Supervisors every 60 days until such local emergency has concluded.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to ratify the local state of emergency proclamation. Doing so would put the County at risk of losing funding and impact our ability to respond to the emergency needs.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel drafted the Board resolution ratifying the local emergency.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no costs or financial impact relative to this recommendation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain the Chair's signature on the resolution.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Eric Palmberg, Undersheriff