Governor's Emergency Proclamation Aids Effort To Repair Moraga Sinkhole
MORAGA (CBS SF) -- Financial assistance may be on the way for the town of Moraga, which is stuck with a costly repair job after a damaging sinkhole appeared last month.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued a proclamation Tuesday declaring a state of emergency for Contra Costa County and 10 other counties related to damage from storms in March.
Moraga officials said the governor's proclamation allows the town to qualify for federal funds to fix a sinkhole that formed March 13.
Repairing the site of the sinkhole at Rheem Boulevard and Center Street is expected to cost the town around $3.5 million, which town officials have said is "far beyond" what Moraga can afford.
"I want to thank Brown for the quick response to our emergency situation and for his willingness to assist us in our time of need," Moraga Mayor Michael Metcalf said in a statement.
"The initial response and ongoing costs associated with the sinkhole have taxed our resources and the current repair estimate ... would be devastating to the town's financial stability," Metcalf said.
Town officials initially wrote a letter on March 29 to the governor and the state's Office of Emergency Services requesting financial disaster assistance.
State Sen. Steven Glazer, D-Orinda, and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker also wrote in support of the request shortly afterward.
"It is most gratifying to see elected officials, and their incredibly competent staffs, respond quickly and collaboratively to assist and guide in emergency situations," Metcalf said.
Meanwhile, town crews are conducting a study on the sinkhole to determine its cause and analyze possible approaches to repairs. Findings will be presented to Moraga's Town Council on April 27.
PG&E crews are also currently working to replace temporary service solutions necessitated by the sinkhole, such as a generator providing power to a traffic signal at Moraga Road and Rheem Boulevard.
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