Marin County Levee Emergency: Millions in Damage

Marin County supervisors have officially declared an emergency due to flooding that occurred on January 3. This declaration is a crucial step for securing potential state and federal disaster relief funding. The Santa Venetia neighborhood in San Rafael was identified as the hardest-hit area, with its levee suffering an estimated $2.6 million in damage from storm and king tide pressures.

Overall, unincorporated county properties experienced damage ranging from $3.5 to $5 million. Marin's Emergency Management Director, Steven Torrence, highlighted that the declaration informs state and federal agencies of the impacts, facilitating access to additional support. The county is committed to documenting the losses regardless of political shifts.

However, securing funding for levee repairs presents a challenge, as emergency declarations typically cover only public infrastructure. It remains unclear whether the damaged levee is considered public property or falls under homeowner responsibility. The county considers the levee situation an emergency and hopes for assistance to find a resolution.