LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore and other City leaders this morning provided an update on preparations for the coming storm and also encouraged Angelenos to stay safe and to stay informed.
The press conference comes the morning after Mayor Bass signed a local emergency declaration and occurred at the City of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which recently transitioned to a Level 2 Activation.
Watch the press conference here. Read the Mayor’s remarks below:
Thank you all for being here this morning. Over the past few days, the City family has been working around the clock to prepare for the storm and we are just beginning to see it hit Los Angeles. Our message today is clear. Stay safe, stay home and stay informed. This is an unprecedented weather event but Los Angeles has deep experience responding to crisis. Whether it be wildfire or earthquakes, the City is prepared. A lot of work has already been done to prepare and there are a few critical areas of focus.
Our primary mission, of course, is to protect the life and property of Angelenos. Second, we need to keep our City workers safe. Third, we must ensure that City services are operating as best as possible given the circumstances. Last night Chief Crowley, who is the incident commander, activated the Emergency Operations Center to level two.
It was very important that we started in-person preparation last night, so that this morning we were already in action. Last night I also signed a declaration of local emergency to immediately activate the Emergency Operations Organization and waive any regulation that may inhibit the saving of lives here in Los Angeles.
I want to thank President Biden and Vice President Harris as well as Governor Newsom for their support and preparation and their pledges to support with recovery as needed. Right now, again, it is critical that Angelenos stay safe and stay home unless otherwise directed by safety officials. Avoid unnecessary travel. If you do not need to be on the road, please don't get in your car. Make sure your emergency kit and essential devices are on hand and ensure that all of your devices are charged. In the event of life threatening emergency, Angelenos should call 911.
For impacts like roadway flooding, tree limbs blocking roads, or mudslides, Angelenos should request service online or by calling 311. In the event of power outages or our water main breakage, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers can call 1800-DIAL-DWP. If you see downed power lines or wires, please do not approach them. The water surrounding the wires could cause serious damage, serious injury or death. Just to reiterate one last time, stay safe, stay home and stay informed.
A brief message from our Superintendent of L.A. Unified School District's Alberto Carvalho: an assessment will be made later today as to whether schools will be opened or closed tomorrow.
Like I said on Friday, our emergency departments are unparalleled. So when an unprecedented disaster hits, please Angelenos, know that we are ready. Thank you and I now want to turn this over to our Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Chief Crowley.