FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 21, 1996, 3:30
pm
Lowry activates Washington National Guard
for Spokane County emergency
OLYMPIA - Gov. Mike Lowry today
(Nov. 21) activated the Washington National Guard to help Spokane
County authorities respond to the effects of a Nov. 19 winter
storm and accompanying power outages. The proclamation was signed
at 12:40 p.m. this afternoon.
Lowry's proclamation authorizes Maj. Gen. Gregory P. Barlow, The
Adjutant General, to call Washington National Guard members into
state active duty to provide emergency assistance and law enforcement
support to state agencies and local jurisdictions.
Spokane County officials today formally asked the state for 15
generators to provide pumping capability for the water supply
system and for local fire districts. More than 48,000 customers
in Spokane remained without electrical power this morning. Six
shelters in Spokane provided food and shelter to approximately
600 people overnight who had lost power and heat to their homes.
Local utilities officials say many of the power outages may not
be restored for several days.
Barlow said the Washington National Guard equipment and personnel
primarily will come from the Spokane area. He said the 256th
Combat Communications Group of the Washington Air National Guard
will provide the generators.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Olympia will remain activated
24 hours a day until further notice to support Spokane County's
response to the storm emergency.
For more information, contact the Governor's Communications Office
at 360-753-6790 or Rob Harper, Washington State Emergency Management
Division, 360-438-7737.
WHEREAS,
extensive power outages caused by a winter snow and ice storm
are threatening the health and safety of the permanent and transient
populations of Spokane County;
NOW THEREFORE, I, MIKE LOWRY,
Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the aforementioned
situation and under RCW 43.06 and 38.52, do hereby amend the Proclamation
of November 20, 1996.
Pursuant to the authority vested in me by RCW 38.08.040, I hereby
authorize The Adjutant General of the state of Washington to call
the Washington National Guard into active service of the state
for the duration of the emergency, in such numbers as he deems
appropriate, to provide emergency assistance and law enforcement
support to state agencies and local jurisdictions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the Seal of the state of Washington to
be affixed at Olympia this 21st day of November A.D., Nineteen
Hundred Ninety-six.
Signed by Mike Lowry, Governor of Washington
Attested to by Tracy A Guerin, Acting Deputy Secretary of State