FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2026
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 | alyssa.napuri@bos5.oc.gov
County of Orange Activates Emergency Operations Center as Vice Chair Katrina Foley Requests County Local Emergency Proclamation
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Today, the County of Orange will activate the Emergency Operations Center after both Laguna Beach and Dana Point proclaimed local emergencies in response to severe coastal erosion, high surf, and damage to homes and public infrastructure.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley also requested that Board Chair Doug Chaffee proclaim a local emergency on behalf of the County of Orange to strengthen the regional response and support efforts to secure state and federal assistance.
“Our coastal cities are experiencing serious damage, and the County is mobilizing our emergency response,” said Vice Chair Foley. “With both Laguna Beach and Dana Point proclaiming local emergencies, the County activated our Emergency Operations Center to coordinate resources and support our cities. I requested the County proclaim a local emergency, so we can respond quickly, document the full extent of the damage, and pursue every available source of recovery assistance.”
California’s Standardized Emergency Management System requires the County to activate the Operational Area Emergency Operations Center when two cities proclaim local emergencies. Activating the Emergency Operations Center brings County departments and emergency management personnel together in a centralized structure to coordinate information, resources, damage assessments, mutual aid, and support for affected cities. The activation allows the County to manage the incident as a regional emergency rather than through separate department responses.
A County local emergency proclamation would formally recognize the severity of the conditions and support requests for additional state and federal resources as damage assessments continue.
County officials continue coordinating with Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and other coastal communities and assessing impacts along the Orange County coastline.
To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Alyssa Napuri at (657) 334-4930.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Olympics 28 Ad Hoc Committee
Urban Counties Caucus
