Mono County supervisors ratify local emergency after storm that dumped about six feet of snow and caused two deaths

Mono County's Board of Supervisors voted 4–0, with one absence, on Jan. 2 to ratify a proclamation of local emergency for a winter storm that began Dec. 24, 2025.

Sheriff Ingrid Brown, serving as the county's acting emergency manager, told the board the storm began Dec. 23–24 and "we got about six feet of snow." Brown said prolonged power outages affected areas from June Lake through Bridgeport, forced the county to open shelters, exceeded local capacity, and contributed to two storm-related deaths, including a ski patroller she named, Cole Murphy. "I declared a local emergency because we needed to open a shelter and it was beyond the capacity of Mono County to handle this emergency anymore," Brown said.

A public commenter, Philip Bettencourt, who identified himself as a long-term visitor to Mammoth Lakes, urged the board to adopt the staff recommendation and ratify the emergency, saying the declaration "provides additional mediums" to assist property owners and reassure visitors.

In discussion, several supervisors and staff criticized Southern California Edison (SCE) for inconsistent, delayed or absent outage information in Mono County. Supervisor Peters said, "It is unacceptable that SCE cannot communicate, like, on a real time basis and be transparent about what's happening, where it's happening, and how it's being remedied," and warned that the county faces life-safety risks when remote customers lose power and lack timely information.

County Counsel Beck asked the board to ratify a "just cause" exception under the Brown Act and SB 707 to allow a supervisor to appear remotely; the board approved that finding before taking the emergency item. Board members and staff highlighted the role of county IT and governmental liaisons in messaging during outages and said they would pursue adding Mono County to the governor's state emergency proclamation as another tool to coordinate with SCE and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Brown said the governor's office and "Senator Alvarado Gill's office" were working with the county on that request.

Vice Chair Kreitz moved to ratify the resolution as presented; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call with four yes votes, zero nos and one absence. The board's action formally continues the local emergency declaration so county staff can pursue state-level assistance and continue emergency operations.

The board did not record any direct response from SCE during the meeting. The county's next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, when supervisors and staff said they will continue coordination on recovery, outreach and utility communication issues.