Governor declares state of emergency for storm-wrenched California

Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and requested federal aid for parts of California hard hit by winter storms.

The emergency declaration applies to 53 of California’s 58 counties, including all in the Bay Area. The order mobilizes the state’s Office of Emergency Services to the affected areas and directs the Department of Transportation to seek federal relief for damaged roads and highways.

Severe flooding is seen in San Jose, California, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Severe flooding is seen in San Jose, California, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 59 Caption Close Governor declares state of emergency for storm-wrenched California 1 / 59 Back to Gallery

California has been pummeled by one of its wettest winters in decades, resulting in widespread flooding, mudslides and infrastructure problems. San Jose is still reeling from tens of millions of dollars of losses after a major creek in the city overflowed its banks and forced 14,000 households to evacuate.

The governor’s office is still assessing damages and is yet to come up with a total dollar figure.

Brown has submitted two prior requests for a federal disaster declaration this year — one for a first round of storms in early January and another for the failure of a spillway at Oroville Dam. Both were granted. The designations bring federal recovery help.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander