Governor Gregoire Proclaims State of Emergency Due to Wind Storm

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2006

OLYMPIA - Governor Chris Gregoire today proclaimed a state of emergency in Western Washington counties due to widespread damages from last night�s windstorm. The proclamation covers Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, King, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom counties.

�We can not control the weather, but we can make sure that we offer as much support as possible while families and communities work to recover from these storms,� said Governor Gregoire. �Just like all Washingtonians, I hope that the weather allows for a happy holiday season and those who are affected can recover quickly.�

Governor Gregoire�s proclamation directs state government to support emergency response activities in the affected counties, allowing state agencies to make expenditures and utilize resources to assist local communities in their recovery efforts, and authorizes the Washington National Guard to activate their resources. State actions are coordinated through the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray.

The State EOC is operated by the Washington State Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department 24 hours a day and will be fully activated until further notice.

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