FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Jan. 3, 1997

Lowry adds more counties to winter storms proclamation

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Mike Lowry today added six more counties to the emergency proclamation for the state's winter emergency due to highway road damage. The six counties are Chelan, Clark, Ferry, Klickitat, Pacific and Wahkiakum.

Counties covered by emergency proclamations for winter storms


Asotin
Chelan
Clallam
Clark
Columbia
Cowlitz
Ferry
Garfield
Grays Harbor
Island
Jefferson
King
Kitsap
Kittitas
Klickitat
Lewis
Mason
Pacific
Pierce
San Juan
Skagit
Skamania
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Wahkiakum
Walla Walla
Whatcom
Whitman
Yakima

Lowry initially proclaimed the state of emergency Sunday, Dec. 29 as a result of the severe winter weather conditions throughout much of the state.

The governor returned to Olympia today after a two-day tour of the state viewing the extensive damage caused by the storm. Lowry visited Aberdeen, Port Angeles, Bellingham, Spokane, Rockford, and Yakima.

"After traveling throughout the state, I am not only amazed by the amount of damage I've seen but I'm also greatly impressed with the "can-do" spirit of the residents I've met," Lowry said. "Neighbors are helping neighbors and people are pulling together to begin the recovery effort."

Current news and state activities in the winter weather emergency:

Landslides and sinkholes remain a challenge in King and Kitsap counties and elsewhere. Snow advisories are in effect for the Cascades and Olympics today. Flood warnings remain in effect for 11 Washington rivers and streams.

The state has established a Storm Damage Hotline - 1-800-221-5947 - where the public can call for information on how to report damages from the winter weather emergency. Members of the public should report insured losses to their insurance agent. They may also call a consumer hotline staffed by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner - 1-800-562-6900 - with insurance questions and concerns.

The Washington National Guard flew in 121,600 sandbags from Missouri Friday morning, is staffing road advisory points at the Warren Avenue Bridge in Bremerton, and is continuing to transport food, water and medical supplies in military vehicles to the Yakama Indian Nation. The Guard has 98 soldiers and airmen on state active duty for the disaster.

Both the Garfield Street (Magnolia) Bridge in Seattle and the Warren Avenue Bridge in Bremerton have sustained structural damage caused by mud slides and are closed to traffic. The road access to Lummi Island and Peninsula remains cut off since yesterday morning due to flooding from the Nooksack River.

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For more information, please contact the Governor's Communications Office at 360-753-6790.