FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2026
Alyssa Napuri – Deputy Chief of Staff, Supervisor Foley
(657) 334-4930 (text preferred) | alyssa.napuri@bos5.oc.gov
Vice Chair Katrina Foley Calls for County Emergency Proclamation Following Coastal Storm Damage, Advances Senior Housing and John Wayne Airport Improvements
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley today urged the County of Orange to proclaim a local emergency following severe coastal damage in South Orange County, while the Board of Supervisors also advanced affordable senior housing in Costa Mesa and improvements at John Wayne Airport.
Vice Chair Foley Calls for County Emergency Proclamation:
During today’s Board meeting, Vice Chair Foley called for the County to proclaim a local emergency following significant coastal damage in Dana Point, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Newport Beach, and other coastal communities. The County did not proclaim its own local emergency.
“I remain concerned that we have not proclaimed a County emergency,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “This week I met with our coastal cities, OCTA, our federal partners, and homeowners whose properties sustained serious damage. We need to act with urgency, help our cities recover, streamline permits to get sand back on our beaches, and prepare now for the Kelvin Wave and El Niño.”
Foley raised concerns about preparations for a potentially very strong El Niño and additional coastal impacts from a coastally trapped Kelvin wave moving toward California. NOAA forecasts a greater than 90 percent chance of a very strong El Niño this winter, while researchers are tracking Kelvin-wave activity that could further elevate sea levels along the California coast.
The County recently joined local governments and water agencies across California in asking Governor Gavin Newsom to issue an executive order expediting vegetation management, debris and sediment removal, permitting, and other preventive work before the winter storm season.
Assemblywoman Laurie Davies also led a letter from Orange County and Long Beach legislators asking Governor Newsom to proclaim a State of Emergency for coastal Southern California, citing damage to homes and infrastructure, emergency shoreline permitting needs, sand replenishment, and the threatened LOSSAN rail corridor through San Clemente.
Item #15 (OC Community Resources) Approve Additional Project-Based Voucher for Costa Mesa Senior: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve one additional Project-Based Voucher for the Costa Mesa Senior affordable housing development, increasing the number of County-restricted units from 23 to 24. The Board also required the City of Costa Mesa to provide the County with a proportional share of Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) credit based on the County’s funding contribution to the project.
“This project has been in the works since I served as Mayor of Costa Mesa, and I wish these housing developments did not take so long,” said Vice Chair Foley. “This additional voucher keeps Costa Mesa Senior moving forward and brings us one step closer to providing vulnerable seniors with stable housing and services instead of leaving them to cycle through shelters, hospitals, or the street.”
Item #S19D (Vice Chair Foley) Approve Second Amendment to Biometric Verification Services License: The Board of Supervisors voted 4(Yes) to 1(No by Chair Chaffee) for Vice Chair Foley’s item to extend CLEAR’s service at John Wayne Airport for two additional years, through September 23, 2028, and approve a new fee structure that guarantees monthly revenue for the airport.
“CLEAR has proven successful at John Wayne Airport,” said Vice Chair Foley. “Since we started working with CLEAR, membership in Orange County grew from roughly 60,000 to 90,000. Passengers want the service, they use it, and this extension gives travelers another efficient choice while supporting our goal of keeping JWA safe, convenient, and easy to use.”
Item #8 (County Executive Office) Grant Applications/Awards Report: The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve two grant awards for John Wayne Airport that will strengthen explosives detection capabilities by our Canine Team and improve airfield safety through enhanced vehicle visibility.
“These federal investments provide John Wayne Airport with critical resources that protect passengers, employees, and aircraft while strengthening airport security,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley. “Orange County continues prioritizing proactive safety measures that reduce risks, prevent dangerous incidents, and keep our airport operating safely and securely.”
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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
National Association of Counties (NACO),
Urban Counties Caucus
