News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 9, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Rob Harper, Washington State Emergency Management Division, 253-512-7005

Gov. Gary Locke Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Clark and Skamania Counties

Gov. Gary Locke has asked President Bush to declare a federal disaster area in Clark and Skamania counties for winter ice and storm damage from Jan. 6-10.

Clark and Skamania counties last month experienced one of the worst ice and snow storms in decades, resulting in significant costs and damages to public services. The National Weather Service has estimated that such a snow and ice storm would hit the area only once every 25 years.

“I urge the president to act quickly so these local jurisdictions can repair and rebuild their damaged public infrastructure,” Locke said. “The storm damage and continuing cleanup costs are significant.”

Preliminary assessments by state and local emergency management officials found more than
$4 million in public facility damages that could qualify for federal disaster assistance. Also, economic activity was shut down for nearly a week in the two counties.

Skamania County and the town of Stevenson not only lost tourist revenue during the storm, but spent major percentages of their road maintenance budgets to maintain emergency services. Debris and tree removal are expected to require weeks of additional work, especially in Clark County and the city of Vancouver.

The governor also signed a state proclamation of emergency that directed state agencies “to do everything possible to assist political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recovery from the event.”

If approved by the President, the disaster request, which the governor signed late Friday, could provide federal and state grants to local governments to pay for eligible costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures as well as for eligible costs to repair roads, water control facilities, public buildings, public utilities and parks.

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