State response to storms continues

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2009

OLYMPIA � State agencies continue to respond to the extreme weather that has affected significant portions of Washington.

As predicted, heavy rains pounded much of Western Washington Wednesday through early Thursday, with most rivers flooding, many at record or near-record levels. In Eastern Washington, rains today heighten concerns of minor urban and small stream flooding, and about heavy snow loads on the roofs of homes, businesses and public buildings, especially schools.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, Gov. Gregoire�s Chief of Staff Cindy Zehnder, Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, Washington National Guard Assistant Adjutant Gen. Gordon Toney, Washington State Patrol Deputy Chief Paul Beckley, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Administrator Susan Reinertson will visit shelters in flooded areas today in Southwest Washington, as well as meet with local officials.

Owen and Brigadier General Gary Magonigle visited Spokane yesterday to meet with local officials and view the damage caused by the record snowfall. Hammond, Beckley, and the Governor�s Chief of Staff Cindy Zehnder visited flooded areas in Western Washington.

Hundreds of families have evacuated from impacted areas. The extent of the voluntary evacuations appears unprecedented in recent history. The American Red Cross reports that more than 260 people spent Wednesday night in 27 shelters, with the majority in Lewis County shelters.

�Our focus is the safety of our families during these difficult times,� Owen said. �Our communities must come together to help residents respond and recover from this disaster.�

Flood waters over roadways or landslides impacted or closed more than 60 state highways including Interstate 5 in Centralia; State Route 12 in Lewis County, and all mountain passes.

The state Emergency Operations Center has been activated to help respond to the statewide flooding and significant landslide, mudslide and avalanche hazards.

Gov. Chris Gregoire�s Dec. 24 emergency proclamation for winter storms statewide, which was amended Jan. 2, continues to cover current flooding.

Owen signed a gubernatorial request to FEMA to extend the 30-day time limit for requesting federal assistance for a snow emergency.

Disaster assessments will accelerate next week when the flood waters have subsided to document the need for a federal disaster declaration. Assessments have already begun in response to the heavy snows in December.

For more information about road conditions please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov

For more emergency information please visit: www.wadisasternews.com

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