Imperial County Fire Chief and Office of Emergency Services (OES) Coordinator David Lantzer today proclaimed a local emergency throughout Imperial County, including all cities and special districts, due to storm damage that occurred on or around August 12, 2026.
The storm caused significant damage to transmission lines and poles, resulting in widespread power outages across the County. Flooding also damaged roads and homes.
The proclamation was issued under the authority of the California Emergency Services Act (Government Code Section 8630) and Section 2.104 of the Imperial County Codified Ordinances. The Board of Supervisors was not in session and could not be called into session immediately.
“These conditions of extreme peril are beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the County,” Chief Lantzer stated. “This proclamation allows us to fully activate our emergency organization,
coordinate resources, and pursue available state and federal assistance to support recovery.”
Key provisions of the proclamation include:
- Activation of the powers, functions, and duties of the OES Coordinator and the County’s emergency organization as prescribed by state law and the Imperial County Emergency Operations Plan.
- Authorization for the Fire Chief/OES Coordinator and designees to request California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, as well as any other available state or federal financial assistance for eligible costs.
- The proclamation will expire ten (10) days after issuance unless confirmed and ratified by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. Confirmation and ratification are scheduled for the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring local conditions, follow official guidance, and report ongoinghazards through established channels.
About Imperial County Fire Department / Office of Emergency Services
The Imperial County Fire Department provides all-risk fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the
unincorporated areas of Imperial County and supports emergency management coordination for the County of
Imperial and its partner jurisdictions.