Eddie Lopez

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.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have confirmed the detection of Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease, in one tree on a residential property in the city of Calexico, Imperial County, triggering a quarantine. This is the first HLB detection in the county and CDFA is working with USDA and the Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner on response.

The detection triggers a mandatory five-mile-radius quarantine area around the find site to restrict the movement of citrus fruit, trees and related plant material, with the southern boundary of the quarantine area marked by the U.S.-Mexico border. USDA will work closely with Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) to communicate associated quarantine implications in Imperial County. The quarantine area is bordered on the north by the McCabe Road; on the south by the U.S.-Mexico border; on the west by Rockwood Road; and on the east by Barbara Worth Road. HLB quarantine maps are available online on the CDFA’s Citrus Division’s website.

HLB is a bacterial disease that affects the vascular system of citrus trees and plants and is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). It does not pose a threat to humans or animals. ACP can spread HLB as it feeds on citrus leaves and stems. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure and the tree will die. HLB quarantine areas currently exists in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, where more than 10,700 trees have tested positive for the disease and have been removed since 2012.

CDFA staff have treated and removed the infected tree in Calexico and are in the process of surveying all citrus trees within a 250-meter radius around the detection site. A treatment program for citrus trees to reduce ACP infestations will also be conducted within 250 meters of the find site. By taking this action, a critical reservoir of the disease and its vectors will be removed, which is essential to protect surrounding citrus from this deadly disease.

The HLB quarantine prohibits the movement of all citrus nursery stock, host plants or plant parts out of the quarantine area. Provisions exist to allow the movement of commercially cleaned and packed citrus fruit. Fruit that is not commercially cleaned and packed must be kept on the property on which it is grown, although it may be processed and/or consumed on the premises. This includes residential citrus such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and kumquats.

Residents in the quarantine area are urged to take several steps to help protect citrus trees:

• Do not move citrus plants, leaves or foliage into or out of the quarantine area or across state or international borders. Keep it local.
• Cooperate with agricultural officials who may be placing traps, inspecting trees and treating for the pest in your area.
• If you no longer wish to care for your citrus tree, consider removing it so it does not become a host to the pest and disease.

CDFA, in partnership with the USDA, local County Agricultural Commissioners and the citrus industry, continues to pursue a strategy of controlling the spread of the ACP while researchers work to find a cure for the disease.

For more information on how to protect your California’s citrus, visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org.

El Centro, CA — In response to the severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that impacted Imperial County today, the American Red Cross is opening an emergency shelter to assist residents affected by flooding, storm damage, and displacement.

Dogwood Elementary School
44 E. Correll Road
Heber, CA 92249
Opens Aug 12, 2026 @ 10:00 pm

The shelter will provide a safe and dry location for individuals and families impacted by the storm, along with meals, water, and essential support services.

Residents in affected areas are encouraged to seek shelter if they are unable to remain safely in their homes.

Those coming to the shelter are encouraged to bring, if possible:

• Personal identification
• Medications and necessary medical supplies
• Important documents
• Personal hygiene items
• Chargers and necessary electronic devices
• Essential items for infants, children, older adults, or family members with special needs

Residents should continue to exercise caution when traveling and avoid flooded roadways or areas impacted by storm conditions.

Imperial County will continue monitoring conditions throughout the region and coordinating with responding agencies. Residents are encouraged to follow official County communication channels for additional emergency information and updates.

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold an in-person and virtual public meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT.

USIBWC, EPA, and local officials will provide updates on the status of New River improvements on both sides of the border, agency collaboration, and the water sampling study.

The public meeting will be held in person at:

City of Calexico
Fernando “Nene” Torres Council Chambers
608 Heber Avenue,
Calexico, CA 92231

The public meeting will also be held virtually. Click here to join the meeting. If possible, it may be helpful for you to test connectivity on your own prior to the meeting by clicking on the “Join” link and ensuring your camera and microphone are functioning. Or join by phone: +1 915-320-4718,,815483226# Phone conference ID: 815 483 226#

If you would like to speak during the public comment period, please sign up ahead of time by contacting Frankie Pinon at frankie.pinon@ibwc.gov or 915-832-4716 by noon on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Media Contact :
Frankie Pinon
Email: frankie.pinon@ibwc.gov
Phone: 915-832-4716

The mission of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is to protect Americans from exposure to Mexican sewage, ensure fair allocations of water from the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers, efficiently and effectively maintain and operate critical flood infrastructure, and reduce border flood hazards.

The County of Imperial is reviewing today’s appellate court decision regarding CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen project and consulting with legal counsel to fully evaluate the ruling and any potential next steps. The County remains committed to supporting responsible lithium and geothermal development that protects our environment, creates high-quality local jobs, and delivers lasting economic benefits for Imperial County residents. Because the matter remains under active legal review, the County will not comment further on its future direction at this time.

Program establishes a transparent, performance-based framework to compete for private lithium investment while protecting existing County and community revenues

Imperial County, CA — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors today voted 3-2 to adopt the Lithium Innovation and Competitiveness (LiNC) Program, establishing a standardized economic development incentive framework designed to strengthen Imperial County’s competitiveness for commercial lithium investment and support the continued development of Lithium Valley.

The LiNC Program is designed around a straightforward principle: private investment must occur before any reimbursement can occur. The Program does not provide upfront grants, cash payments, or funding to proposed projects. Instead, it allows the County to reinvest a limited portion of certain future tax revenues generated by a participating project after the project is developed and meets established performance requirements.

“Imperial County has spent years building the planning, environmental, workforce, infrastructure, and economic development foundation necessary to support Lithium Valley. LiNC is intended to help translate that work into private investment, construction, jobs, commercial production, and ultimately new revenues for our communities,” said Chairwoman Peggy Price.

Adoption Does Not Automatically Provide Incentives to Any Project
Adoption of the LiNC Program does not approve an incentive or reimbursement for any individual company or project. Any company seeking to participate in the LiNC Program must submit a complete application, provide an independent Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis, demonstrate compliance with applicable Program requirements, and have its application considered by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors during a public hearing. A project must also enter into a Board-approved reimbursement agreement before receiving any incentive.

This process is intended to provide the Board and public an opportunity to evaluate the economic and fiscal merits of each proposed incentive individually rather than providing automatic benefits based solely on a company’s participation in the lithium industry.

No Project, No Tax Revenue, No Reimbursement

The County emphasized that no money is being issued as a result of today’s action. There is currently no commercial lithium extraction occurring in Imperial County that would generate Lithium Extraction Excise Tax revenue under Senate Bill 125 (SB 125). Under the LiNC framework, projects must invest first, meet performance requirements, generate eligible revenues, and only then become eligible for reimbursement. The Program highlights that projects that fail to reach commercial operations or do not generate tax revenues will not receive reimbursements.

The Program’s two incentive components are structured around new revenues generated by participating projects. The Construction Sales and Use Tax Reimbursement is funded from a limited portion of the County’s local 1% share of eligible sales and use tax actually paid by the participating project during construction. No reimbursement begins during construction. Payments begin only after the project reaches commercial operation and are then distributed over five years on a quarterly basis, allowing the County to retain and utilize the project-generated revenue before reimbursements are made. The SB 125 Capital Investment Reimbursement is similarly funded only from the County’s own share of Lithium Extraction Excise Tax revenues actually generated and received after the participating project begins commercial lithium production. The Program does not reduce or redirect funding allocated to cities, Tribes, directly or indirectly affected communities, or the Lithium Community Benefits Program. Those allocations remain unchanged, with any LiNC reimbursement borne solely by the County’s allocation. The County’s Lithium Extraction Excise Tax Funding Plan, which was adopted on September 10, 2024, can be read here: https://lithiumvalley.imperialcounty.org/community/lithium-excise-tax/#docaccess-2e557202eeff71038c014ee7a63a65a9

To be clear, if development does not occur, the associated tax revenues do not materialize and there is nothing for the County to reimburse.

Competing for Long-Term Investment
Imperial County is home to one of the world’s largest known lithium brine resources, but County officials emphasized that possessing the resource does not guarantee that private capital and downstream supply chain will be invested locally. Lithium projects compete for financing and investment against projects in other states and countries offering their own combinations of tax incentives, infrastructure support, workforce programs, and economic development assistance.

The LiNC Program is intended to improve Imperial County’s position during a critical period when domestic lithium supply chains are being established. Establishing commercial production locally could also help position the region to compete for future lithium extraction, processing, conversion, battery manufacturing, recycling, equipment suppliers, and other downstream investments.

The Program includes an Early Investment Incentive for qualifying projects meeting near-term investment and permitting milestones and a Standard Investment Incentive designed to continue supporting commercial-scale investment as the local industry matures. LiNC does not alter environmental review or permitting requirements, or guarantee approval of any lithium development project.

Ultimately, the purpose of LiNC is to help turn proposed development into operating projects that generate new revenues and long-term economic benefits for Imperial County and its communities. If commercial development does not occur, these new revenues and economic benefits will not be realized. By strategically reinvesting a limited portion of future project-generated revenues, the County is working to attract the private investment necessary to create high-paying jobs, expand infrastructure, generate new property tax and other public revenues, stimulate indirect economic growth, attract additional supply-chain investment, and build a substantially larger, long-term revenue base for the region.

Learn More

The complete Lithium Innovation and Competitiveness (LiNC) Program, including eligibility requirements, incentive limits, taxpayer safeguards, funding structures, illustrative funding examples, and frequently asked questions, is available on the Imperial County website:https://lithiumvalley.imperialcounty.org/#docaccess-4c6148b1b0f47b39b32a6163c977088d

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The County of Imperial Department of Public Works will begin work on Neckel Road between Austin Road and La Brucherie Road.

School Commute Impact

Drivers traveling through the Imperial area for school drop-off and pick-up should expect delays and allow extra travel time. Routes using Neckel Rd., Austin Rd., and La Brucherie Rd. may be impacted.

Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the area, watch for crews, and follow all posted signs and traffic control.

Chairwoman Peggy Price to Present State of the County on November 5 at the Imperial County Fairgrounds

Imperial County, CA – Imperial County invites members of the media to attend the 2026 State of the County, presented by Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Peggy Price, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Imperial County Fairgrounds.

The State of the County will provide an opportunity to reflect on Imperial County and highlight the work, priorities, and progress taking place throughout the region.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and cover the event.

Imperial County, CA — The Imperial County Registrar of Voters announces that the candidate filing period for certain contests scheduled for the November 3, 2026 General Election has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Pursuant to the California Elections Code, when an incumbent officeholder does not file a Declaration of Candidacy by the 88th day before the election, the candidate nomination period for that contest is extended for an additional five calendar days. The extended filing period provides additional time for eligible candidates to file for these offices.

The following contests have been extended:

• Imperial County Office of Education, Area II, Trustee
• Calipatria Unified School District, Trustee
• Imperial Unified School District, Trustee
• Central Union High School District, Trustee
• Brawley Elementary School District, Truste
• McCabe Union Elementary School District, Trustee
• Westmorland Union Elementary School District, Trustee
• Bombay Beach Community Services District, Director — Full and Partial Terms
• Heber Public Utility District, Director
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 2
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 3
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 7
• Palo Verde County Water District, Director
• Salton Community Services District, Director
• Seeley County Water District, Director — Full and Partial Terms
• Winterhaven Water District, Director

Incorporated Cities: Information regarding candidate nomination periods for contests within incorporated cities should be obtained directly from the respective city. Interested candidates for city offices should contact the city in which they are seeking office for information regarding filing requirements, deadlines, and whether the nomination period has been extended.

Interested candidates for the contests listed above are encouraged to contact the Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ Office for information regarding candidate filing requirements and procedures.

The extended filing period closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

For additional information, please contact the Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ Office at (442) 265-1060.