On March 3, 2023, Town Manager Daniel C. Holler declared by proclamation the existence of a local emergency in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. This action is the result of the extreme winter snowstorms experienced during the months of January and February causing conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Over 26 feet of snow was recorded at Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge (9,000 ft.) during this time period, with additional snow, strong winds and cold temperatures forecast in March.
“Getting the necessary life-saving resources to our community as a result of these relentless and damaging winter storms is the Town’s highest priority,” stated Holler. “This Proclamation allows the Town to access additional state and regional resources needed to address this ongoing local emergency.”
These extreme winter conditions have and will continue to create hazardous and unsafe conditions within the Town of Mammoth Lakes with potential damages to structures, stranded motorists, increased traffic accidents, damages to public infrastructure and equipment, and unsafe roadways. The declaration is needed to address the local emergency and to assist in recovery efforts resulting in the need to request state resources that are beyond the control, services, personnel, equipment and facilities within the Town of Mammoth Lakes and regional mutual-aid area.
The authority to proclaim a local emergency by the Town Manager is authorized by Section 2.48.060 of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code that appoints the Town Manager as the Director of Emergency Services. In addition, Section 2.48.070 of the Municipal Code empowers the Town Manager to request the Town Council to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency in accordance with Government Code section 8630. Town Council shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days.
On January 17, 2023, the Mono County Board of Supervisors ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency issued on January 10, 2023 by Chris Mokracek, Mono County Director of Emergency Services. Director Mokracek issued the Proclamation as a result of the severe winter storms that commenced on January 9, 2023, which prevented emergency access, closed roads, stranded travelers, and exceeded the ability of Mono County road and safety crews to respond.
On March 1, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency for 13 counties, including Mono County as a result of the severe winter storms. The Governor also activated the State Operations Center to 24-hour operations to coordinate the deployment of resources throughout the state. Assistance is currently being provided by the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to the county and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
State, regional and local interagency collaboration that this proclamation empowers is critical to ensuring the Town is able to respond to emergencies such as this to better serve and to provide the necessary life-saving resources and assistance for the residents and visitors of Mammoth Lakes.