WSR 09-03-062

PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR


[ January 9, 2009 ]


PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR

09-01


AMENDING PROCLAMATION 08-10



WHEREAS, on December 24, 2008, I issued Proclamation 08-10, proclaiming a statewide emergency as the result of a severe winter storm with blizzard conditions that began on December 15, 2008, was forecast to continue for several weeks, and which resulted in record-setting snowfall; and


On January 2, 2009, I issued Proclamation 08-11, amending Proclamation 08-10 and proclaiming that the statewide emergency remained in effect due to new and continuing severe weather systems bringing new snow and heavy rains, compounding the effects of the earlier storm system; and


On January 6, 2009, another severe winter storm system swept into Washington affecting all counties in Washington State, producing heavy rains, snow at higher elevations, landslides, mudslides, avalanches, high winds, and flooding complicated by already saturated ground and snow packs from the December 2008 winter storms and their cumulative effects, and resulting in record-setting rainfall and record-setting flooding; and


The above described severe weather systems have caused and continue to cause extensive damage to homes, businesses, public utilities, public facilities, highways, and infrastructure, lengthy and unpredictable road and railroad line closures, and have threatened and continue to threaten Washington citizens; and


The Washington State Military Department state Emergency Operations Center remains activated and implementing response procedures, and is coordinating resources to support local officials in alleviating the immediate social and economic impacts to people, property, transportation systems, and infrastructures, and is assessing the magnitude of the event.


NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, reiterate that Proclamations 08-10 and 08-11 remain in effect, and as a result of the aforementioned situation and under Chapters 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that the State of Emergency I proclaimed in Proclamation 08-10 remains in effect and exists in all counties in the State of Washington. I again direct the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the incident. Additionally, the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division is instructed to continue to coordinate all event-related assistance to the affected areas.


Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 9th day of January A.D, Two Thousand and Nine at Olympia, Washington.

By:
Christine O. Gregoire

Governor
BY THE GOVERNOR:
Sam Reed
Secretary of State

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