The Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday to further strengthen emergency response to winter storms and support affected communities across the state.
Last week, California obtained a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and a Presidential Declaration of Emergency to aid response and recovery efforts from the storms, which resulted in at least 20 deaths and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
The state government stressed that with persistent storms expected through midweek, the state continues to work with local and federal partners to prepare for and respond to flooding, debris flow, and other storm-related emergencies.
Today's executive order includes provisions to ensure adequate staffing for emergency response by waiving work hour limitations for retired pensioners; as well as supporting affected residents by waiving fees to replace records such as marriage and birth certificates.
Similarly, they said, to provide flexibility to help health care facilities in affected areas remain open and support schools in Merced County affected by flooding.
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