Local legislators call for statewide drought emergency Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a drought emergency in Mendocino and Sonoma counties on Wednesday (Office of the Governor of California). As dry conditions persist locally and throughout California for a second straight year, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a drought emergency — but only in two of the state’s counties. Though Newsom has yet to declare a drought statewide, the emergency declaration for Sonoma and Mendocino counties also orders state agencies to work with local districts across California to address drought conditions through conservation, funding for water supply improvements and assistance monitoring drinking water wells.