"We need help accelerating sand replenishment and shoreline protection to protect our homes, beaches, and infrastructure."
It is Finals Day for the World Surf League’s Lexus Trestles Pro there on the famed cobbled stone of Lower Trestles. While the wave breaks in San Diego county, officially, the city of San Clemente lays claim, as it is the closest population center, and San Clementines are very proud of it.
Though you wouldn’t know from watching the 2-3 ft burgers currently rolling in, San Clemente along with neighboring Dana Point and Laguna Beach, slightly north, and the rest of Orange County declared a state of emergency, yesterday, citing damage done to coastal homes and infrastructure from a Hurricane Marie, which made large waves a few weeks ago.
The move allows Orange County officials to request state and federal resources in both repairing and assessing the damage ahead of this winter’s predicted Super El Niño.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley has called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue a statewide emergency declaration for Orange County, declaring, “Finally, the County of Orange declared a State of Emergency following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Marie and in preparation for the El Niño storm system. The County’s declaration frees up resources, streamlines permitting, and accelerates our ability to support cities and residents as they face future storm surges this winter.”
She added, “With a super El Nino Storm season coming, we must act now to protect our coast and prepare for historic storms. In Orange County, sand is infrastructure. We need help accelerating sand replenishment and shoreline protection to protect our homes, beaches, and infrastructure.”
Do you feel the extra resources will allow coastal Orange County to not only survive, but thrive this winter or do you think too little too late?