SACRAMENTO (KNX) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked state emergency responders Wednesday for working aggressively to protect Californians from winter weather conditions amid ongoing storms.
“I want to thank all our emergency responders for working diligently through trying weather conditions to keep our communities safe,” Newsom said in a statement. “I strongly encourage all Californians to avoid making the situation worse and refrain from traveling on mountain roads until conditions improve.”
Newsom went on to say that the state Office of Emergency Services has activated the State Operations Center to monitor and coordinate assistance for all residents.
In addition, Newsom said he has reached out to investor-owned utility companies in order to rapidly restore power "mitigate the impact of weather conditions on the most vulnerable Californians."
Since Dec. 24, Caltrans has deployed 1,350 field staff working in 24-hour rotating shifts to keep roads open and assist impacted communities, according to Newsom's office.
Newsom said Caltrans has also redirected all available crews, assisted with 600 snowplows and cleared hundreds of downed trees.
"The California Highway patrol has also assisted stranded motorists, directed heavy traffic loads and provided food and water for those in need," Newsom said.
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