The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved federal assistance for the State of California local response efforts from severe winter storms.

Imperial County was included in the federal declaration after the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors approved resolutions asking for help. Thirty three other counties were included in the government action. Imperial County suffered significant impact from two winter storms that pushed winds to 70 plus miles per hour I late February. The IID had to deal with 78 transmission poles being knocked down causing a power outage in the Salton City area that lasted nearly a week. The action by FEMA means federal money will be avalable to assist the counties in recovery efforts.