DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS,  Nevada Revised Statute 414.070 authorizes the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency when a natural disaster of major proportions has occurred within this state, and the assistance of state agencies is needed to supplement the efforts and capabilities of political subdivisions to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state; and

WHEREAS, between January 8, 2023, and January 11, 2023, Nevada experienced a storm event that produced heavy rainfall; and

WHEREAS, the heavy rainfall resulted in widespread flooding in Douglas, Lyon, and Washoe counties, which caused severe damage to transportation routes, including State Routes 207, 208, and 671, as well as U.S. Highway 395, Federal-aid highways; and

WHEREAS, the damage to State Route 207, in Douglas County, includes erosion and undermining of the transportation route between mileposts DO 5 and 7; and

WHEREAS, the damage to State Route 208, in Lyon County, includes a major rockslide between mileposts LY 14 and 15, which impacts approximately 400 feet of the transportation route and necessitated its closure; and

WHEREAS, the damage to State Route 671, in Washoe County, includes blocked culverts and erosion within the right-of-way of the transportation route between mileposts WA 2 and 4; and

WHEREAS, the damage to U.S. Highway 395, in Douglas County, includes ditch and shoulder erosion of the transportation route between mileposts DO 4 and 6 and mileposts DO 15 and 16; and

WHEREAS, the condition of the damaged transportation routes constitute an emergency, as contemplated by the terms of Sections 125 and 120(e) of Title 23, U.S.C.; and

WHEREAS, Douglas, Lyon, and Washoe counties require the assistance of the state government to repair State Routes 207, 208, and 671, as well as U.S. Highway 395; and

WHEREAS, the immediate repair and reconstruction of the damaged transportation routes is vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of the State of Nevada; and the Federal Highway Division Administrator is hereby requested to concur in the declaration of this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joe Lombardo, Governor of the State of Nevada, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada and the United States, hereby declare a state of emergency due to the severe weather pattern, and resulting damages to transportation routes, and direct all state agencies to supplement the efforts of Douglas, Lyon, and Washoe counties to save lives, protect property, and protect the health and safety of persons in this state.