Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for eight Southern California counties as powerful winter storms batter the region with high winds, relentless rain, and heavy snowfall, according to the Governor's website.

The affected counties include Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

The emergency proclamation enables a swift response, including potential California National Guard deployment, streamlined access to unemployment benefits, and facilitation for out-of-state contractors and utilities to address storm damage.

Governor Newsom visited the State Operations Center near Sacramento earlier today to receive an update on the ongoing California storm and the state's coordinated response efforts.

With a historic 8,500 state-coordinated emergency response assets on standby, California is gearing up to address potential threats such as flooding, landslides, travel disruptions, and an anticipated surge in 911 calls due to severe weather conditions.

Governor Newsom underscored the seriousness of the storm, emphasizing the potential for dangerous and life-threatening impacts.

He urged Californians to remain vigilant and attentive to any emergency orders or alerts issued by local officials.

Assuring the state's readiness, Newsom highlighted the record number of emergency assets deployed on the ground, demonstrating California's commitment to responding effectively to the challenges posed by this severe storm.

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Tips for Staying Safe During the California Storm

To stay safer during potential emergencies, here are five essential steps per YubaNet:

Stay Connected:

  • Dial 311 for assistance or questions, and in critical emergencies, call 911.

  • Sign up for emergency alerts, warnings, and evacuation notices at CalAlerts.org.

Use Trusted Sources for Information:

  • Check state and local government or emergency management websites and social media accounts for reliable information specific to your area.

  • Rely on local news outlets and meteorologists for updates.

  • Be cautious of information from unknown sources on social media or online 'experts' without credentials.

Prepare for High Winds:

  • Before a high wind event, take preventative measures such as removing dead trees or overhanging branches, securing loose roofing material, and bringing in unsecured objects from patios.

  • Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles, shutter windows securely, and brace outside doors.

  • During a high wind event, seek cover next to a building or under shelter, keep away from windows, avoid roadways and elevated areas, and be cautious of flying debris.

Travel Safely:

  • Avoid non-essential travel during the storm's peak.

  • If you must drive, use the QuickMap app or visit QuickMap (ca.gov) for real-time information on road conditions, closures, and traffic.

  • Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Even six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep your vehicle away.

Be Ready for Power Outages:

  • Take inventory of items dependent on electricity.

  • Keep devices charged and plan for alternative power sources, such as portable chargers or power banks.

  • Have flashlights for every household member in case of power outages.

Evacuations and Precautions Underway

Evacuations and road closures are already in effect, Weather.com reports.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation warnings, and Cal Fire crews in Ventura prepared over 1,000 sandbags for potential flooding.

Evacuations have been ordered in Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County near burn areas, and San Jose along the Guadeloupe River.

Mayor of Los Angeles is leading an "all-hands-on-deck effort," with the Department of Water and Power on standby for outages.

The California Department of Transportation is proactively treating roads for improved driving conditions.

Notably, NASCAR's Busch Light Clash was rescheduled a day early to avoid the impending severe weather, while the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament may face a shortened schedule.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards are set to proceed at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, offering a respite from the California storm outside.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Evacuation orders in parts of California as dangerous storm brings strong winds, heavy rain - From NBC News