Kamlager-Dove Joins Bipartisan California Delegation in Urging Biden Administration to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following Severe Winter Storms

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) joined 50 members of California's Congressional delegation in calling on the Biden Administration to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the ongoing impacts of winter storms that made landfall in California from January 31 through February 9.

The storms brought heavy precipitation and high-speed winds to Los Angeles, resulting in flooding and mudslides. This damaged homes, buildings, and critical infrastructure including federal and state highways and roads across CA-37.

“The intensity and damages of these storms have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts,” wrote the lawmakers. “These storms have caused widespread flooding, erosion, power outages, and road closures across the state that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians.”

In response to the storm, the lawmakers expressed support for the State of California’s request that President Biden approve public assistance for CA-37 in Los Angeles County, as well as Butte, Glenn, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sutter, and Ventura counties, along with statewide hazard mitigation assistance.

Senators Alex Padilla (CA) and Laphonza Butler (CA) and Representatives Ken Calvert (CA-41) and Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) led the bipartisan letter. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove signed the letter alongside Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Judy Chu (CA-28), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Duarte (CA-13), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), John Garamendi (CA-08), Mike Garcia (CA-27), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), Young Kim (CA-40), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Katie Porter (CA-47), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Adam Schiff (CA-30), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Michelle Steel (CA-45), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), David Valadao (CA-22), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Maxine Waters (CA-43). 

Last year, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove and the rest of the California delegation successfully petitioned President Biden to declare a major disaster in California in response to Tropical Storm Hilary.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear President Biden:

We write in support of the State of California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to recent severe winter storms impacting nine counties throughout California, and we ask that you approve it expeditiously.

The State has experienced several storms since January 31, 2024, and the effects are ongoing. The intensity and damages of these storms have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts. These storms have caused widespread flooding, erosion, power outages, and road closures across the state that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians. The storms damaged federal and state highways and roads, critical infrastructure, homes, and buildings.

The severity of these storms requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of public assistance for all counties set forth in the Governor’s request, along with hazard mitigation statewide. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Members of Congress

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