NAPA, CA — Napa County is set to vote on a $9.5 million emergency funding proposal aimed at repairing the significant damage caused by recent storms, which have battered infrastructure across Northern California. The storm system, fueled by atmospheric rivers, left a trail of destruction across the region, with Napa County experiencing some of the worst impacts despite having taken a lighter hit compared to neighboring Sonoma County.
The Napa County Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday to vote on the emergency funding, which falls under a local emergency proclamation. If approved, the board will reassess the situation every 30 days until the emergency is declared over. The funding would fast-track crucial road repairs and seeks reimbursement from both state and federal agencies.
In total, the county has proposed a breakdown of repair costs for key infrastructure, including Redwood Road ($1.5 million), Rossi Road Bridge ($2 million), Ridgecrest Drive ($1.5 million), Berryessa Knoxville Road ($1 million), and two separate Mt. Veeder Road repair projects ($2.5 million). Additionally, $1 million is allocated for public roadside cleanup to address debris and small mudslides left behind by the storms.
Despite taking a more direct approach to addressing infrastructure, Napa County’s damages surpass those in Sonoma County, which reported $8.8 million in storm damage. Sonoma, however, received more rain than Napa. Unlike Napa, which is focused on road repairs, Sonoma County has adopted a broader emergency response that includes a temporary eviction freeze to protect residents impacted by storm damage.
The storms that ravaged Northern California since February 4 brought heavy rainfall, which triggered widespread flooding across both counties. In Napa, nearly 14 inches of rain fell over a five-day period, pushing Lake Berryessa to near capacity and forcing the water into its Glory Hole spillway for the first time since 2019. As floodwaters surged, Napa River overflowed, submerging local parks and roadways and prompting the closure of key routes, including State Routes 121 and 12.
Emergency responders had pre-deployed resources such as fire engines, swiftwater rescue teams, and sandbags in anticipation of the storm, which helped mitigate some damage. However, the impact on local roads remains severe, leading officials to push for urgent repair measures.
The proposed road repairs in Napa County are part of a larger effort to rebuild the region’s infrastructure, with the hope of accelerating recovery. If approved, the funding would allow for immediate work to begin, with the flexibility to shift funds between projects to maintain momentum.
As the Napa Board of Supervisors prepares for its vote, the county remains focused on infrastructure recovery, while Sonoma County continues to navigate a broader emergency response that includes housing protections alongside infrastructure repairs. Both counties are seeking state and federal reimbursements to help cover the costs of storm damage, but Napa’s proposal specifically targets road repairs, while Sonoma’s approach emphasizes housing security for affected residents.
Napa County residents and officials are closely watching the outcome of the vote, hoping for swift approval to address the critical infrastructure repairs that are essential for the area’s recovery.