Governor Schwarzenegger Declares a State of Emergency as the Worst Freeze in Nearly a Century Hits California
Governor Secures Aid to Help Thousands of California Residents Across the State
The Food Bank of El Dorado County Leads Local Food Assistance Relief Efforts
(SACRAMENTO, CA) - On January 12, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a State of Emergency in California, clearing the way for a request for disaster aid.
On January 25, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-03-07 in which he delcared a state of emergency throughout 17 counties across the state.
In the Order, Schwarzenegger noted "An Arctic Cold Front resulting in extreme low temperatures and freezing conditions has swept through California...causing extreme peril to the safety of persons and property in this state...the magnitude of this situation has resulted in substantial damage to agriculture and significant economic losses in California."
Commenting on the severity of the situation, Governer Schwarzenegger stated "Agriculture alone stands to lose more than $1 billion. And that ripples through the economy hurting thousands of people who depend on a rich, healthy harvest for their livelihoods. It is critical that federal, state and local governments do everything in our power help the impacted workers and communities recover as soon as possible."
California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura said "Ten straight days of subfreezing temperatures in the state make it the most extreme and widespread freeze we’ve ever seen, certainly in my lifetime." He agrees with the Governor’s figure of over $1 billion in potential crop damages and commented "A loss of agriculture is not just a loss of fruit, plant or tree, but also an ecnomic loss across many sectors. Trucking jobs, packing jobs, retail jobs, all suffer as a result of loss of product going to market. Further, long-term effects of a severe freeze is damage to the buds on the trees, which can hinder fruit production during the next growing season. This means more unemployment in 2008."
The Food Bank of El Dorado County is working in partnership with the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Social Services and the Office of Emergency Services to provide an additional food assistance to local residents that have been affected by the severe weather conditions.
The additional food will be distributed at local food distribution sites throughout the El Dorado County.
Food Bank Director Mike Sproull thanked the Governor for his timely response to the recent freeze and said he would like to encourage residents of El Dorado County that have been affected by the inclimate weather in any way such as loss of crops, loss of work, loss of income, increase in heating/propane bills, broken and damaged water pipes to please call the Food Bank for more information on how and where to receive food assistance.
With all of the political hoops and red tape buracracy involved in Federal Disaster Relief (Remember Hurricane Katrina?), and the fact that the cold and incliment weather is still upon us, it’s nice to know we’ve got a man like Governor Schwarzenegger representing the interests of the citizens of California.
Thank You Governor, for your caring, your compassion and your committment to the citizens of the great state of California. Job well done.
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