News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 15, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Governor proclaims emergency in Yakima, Kittitas counties

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today proclaimed an emergency in two Central Washington counties because of floods and mudslides caused by severe thunderstorms on July 3. The proclamation includes both Yakima and Kittitas counties.

"The heavy rains triggered numerous mudslides on State Route 821 between Ellensburg and Yakima," Locke said. "Extensive repair work is needed to restore the highway and to prevent further runoff from the slides."

The proclamation directs state agencies and departments to "utilize state resources and to do everything possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the event."

Locke's proclamation allows the state to ask for Federal Highway Administration aid to repair flood-damaged roads in the counties.

The state Department of Transportation estimates repairs to State Route 821 (locally known as the Yakima Canyon Highway) could cost $750,000 and close the road for at least four weeks. Interstate-82 also was damaged.

For further information, contact Mark Clemens, State Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department, 1-800-688-8955; or Sherri Sibbett, Washington State Department of Transportation, (360) 705-7080.

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