Dear Mr. President:
Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR § 206.36, I request that you declare a major disaster in the state of Nevada as a result of intense rain storms that caused severe flooding beginning on December 31, 2005, and continuing until January 4, 2006. These storms caused damage and flooding in Carson City, and counties of Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe.
In response to this disaster, I have taken appropriate action under state law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on December 31, 2005, in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. The State Emergency Plan was invoked in response to the severe storm and flooding that impacted northern Nevada.
Between December 30, 2005, and January 4, 2006 a severe storm caused widespread flooding throughout northern Nevada. The relentless storm crippled travel on major highways and access roads, created power outages, and forced evacuations of homes. On January 3, 2006, I declared a State of Emergency for Carson City and the affected counties.
Preliminary estimates indicate the most severe impacts occurred within the cities of Reno and Sparks (Washoe County), where the Truckee River crested on Sunday, January 1, 2006, submerging portions of both cities and outlying areas. Mudslides resulting from the storms also closed Interstate 80, a major east-west traffic route in Nevada. At the same time, the Carson River overflowed its banks and submerged parts of several cities and towns throughout the region and closed parts of Interstate 395, a major north-south traffic route in Nevada. Fast moving water and heavy debris flows caused significant damage throughout the affected areas.
I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments. I have concluded that supplemental federal assistance is necessary. I am specifically requesting Individual Assistance, including the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation and Small Business Administration disaster loans for the affected areas.
Preliminary estimates of the types and amounts of assistance needed under the Stafford Act are tabulated in Enclosures A and B. Estimated requirements for assistance from certain federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure C.
I certify that for this major disaster, the state and local governments will assume all applicable non-federal costs shares as required by the Stafford Act. Total expenditures are expected to exceed $16,957,959, in accordance with the table in Enclosure D.
I have designated Frank Siracusa, Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) and the State Coordinating Officer (SCO) for this request. He will continue working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Sincerely,
KENNY C. GUINN
Governor
