State, Spokane County declare state of emergency following warmer weather, rain
Spokane County declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon. Warm weather combined with rain washed out roads and overflowed streams, leading to a number of road closures, the county said in a news release.
The state of emergency gives the Public Works Department additional emergency supplies and equipment.
Gov. Jay Inslee also declared a state of emergency for 28 Washington counties Wednesday, including Spokane County. According to a news release, sustained and severe weather caused “significant power outages, major damage to roads and public utilities, delays and cancellations within the state ferry system and at major airports, and damage to homes and businesses.”
The Spokesman-Review
Damage to roads is estimated at more than $10 million, and the state will request federal financial assistance for repairs.
Other counties in the state’s emergency declaration are Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Whitman counties.