whereas, the rejuvenation of an ancient deep-seated landslide caused by three consecutive years of much higher than normal annual precipitation has resulted in a landslide of approximately 40 acres, threatening citizens and property of Washington State;

whereas, the landslide has caused extensive damage to homes, public utilities, public facilities, and infrastructure in the City of Kelso, Cowlitz County;

whereas, the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, is coordinating resources to support local officials in alleviating the immediate social and economic impacts to people, property, and infrastructure, and is assessing the magnitude of the event;

now, therefore, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the aforementioned situation and under RCW 38.08, 38.52, and 43.06, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Cowlitz County and direct the implementation of the supporting plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. State agencies and departments are directed 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. Additionally, the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division is instructed to coordinate all event-related assistance to the affected areas.