Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares State of Emergency After San Joaquin County Levee Break

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a State of Emergency in San Joaquin County following a levee break that could potentially flood up to 12,000 acres of agricultural land.

“I’m deeply concerned for those San Joaquin County farmers that have lost farmland as a result of this unfortunate flood,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The State of California will work with local agencies to ensure that the levee is repaired and the water is removed from the Upper and Lower Jones Tracts.

“I’ve directed the Office of Emergency Services to ensure that all necessary State resources are brought to bear in both the response to and recovery from this emergency.”

The Governor’s action will provide financial relief to the local governments and reclamation districts for the costs of repairing the levee and removing the water that has flowed through. Funds for the reimbursement come from the California Disaster Assistance Act and are allocated on a 75 percent/25 percent, state/local cost-sharing basis.

At the Governor’s direction, OES will also be working with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency to see if farmers impacted by this flood may be eligible for emergency loans to help recover from production or physical losses.