Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 19, 1997
Contact:  Rob Harper, State EOC, (360) 438-7737 - Media only

Gov. Locke proclaims emergency for floods

OLYMPIA - Shortly after noon today, Gov. Gary Locke proclaimed that a state of emergency exists in four counties due to widespread flooding. The governor's proclamation covers Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Mason and Jefferson counties. Locke's proclamation directs state government to support emergency response activities in the affected communities, allowing state agencies to make extraordinary expenditures and use of resources.


The governor will tour the flooded Skokomish River Valley north of Shelton this afternoon where homes, highways and a state fish hatchery have been damaged by flood waters.


"Our hearts go out to the hundreds of people whose homes have been endangered by floods and mudslides," said Gov. Locke. "The emergency proclamation will help state agencies do everything they can to ensure public safety as we watch the weather and hope the worst of the rain has passed."


The proclamation reads, in part: "I hereby direct state departments and agencies to utilize state resources and do everything possible to assist the affected political subdivisions in an effort to manage the emergency. I hereby authorize activation of the Washington State National Guard. Additionally, the Military Department, Emergency Management is instructed to coordinate all state agency activities in the affected area."


The counties included in the governor's proclamation of emergency have already declared their own states of emergency. State actions are coordinated through the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Olympia. Representatives from the Washington Military Department, Washington State Patrol, Department of Transportation, Department of General Administration, Department of Agriculture and the American Red Cross have reported to the State EOC. 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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