California governor seeks flood control funds

California Gov. Jerry Brown wants to spend $437 million on immediate flood control and emergency response actions in the storm-drenched state.

Cars are partially submerged and covered in mud from receding floodwaters Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Thousands of people evacuated from a flood in San Jose, California, returned home Thursday amid warnings to be careful about hygiene and handling food that may have come into contact with flood water. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Brown said Friday he would do that by redirecting $50 million from the state general fund and requesting a $387 million appropriation from the voter-approved 2014 Proposition 1 water bond.

Both actions require approval by the state Legislature, and Brown is asking that it be done as soon as possible.

Related: Powerful storm enters California and brings risk of flooding

Brown also is seeking updates on flood inundation maps and emergency action plans as well as enhanced dam inspections.

The governor says California has nearly $50 billion in unmet flood-management infrastructure needs.

#CentralValley, #California. #River levels high. #Flooding common. #Flood potential (shown in purple) remains high. Be safe. pic.twitter.com/CYQAYpBVZn

— The Flood Channel (@TheFloodChannel) February 24, 2017

28 horses rescued from flood waters in #SanJose. At least two dozen more still need help. pic.twitter.com/OzD63oHE61

— FlyingTails (@KenWayne) February 24, 2017

Anderson Reservoir which produced #CoyoteCreek #SanJose #flooding has dropped 2% from 106% full to 104%. Below flood stage by Thursday. pic.twitter.com/Fip1hotzpN

— Jeff Ranieri (@JeffRanieri) February 22, 2017

Jason Contant

Jason has been an award-winning journalist with Canadian Underwriter for more than a decade, including the past three years as associate editor and, before that, as digital editor for seven years.