CA Gov't Code Section 8625

The Governor is hereby empowered to proclaim a state of emergency in an area affected or likely to be affected thereby when:

(a)

He finds that circumstances described in subdivision (b) of Section 8558 exist; and either

(b)

He is requested to do so (1) in the case of a city by the mayor or chief executive, (2) in the case of a county by the chairman of the board of supervisors or the county administrative officer; or

(c)

He finds that local authority is inadequate to cope with the emergency.