Lowry Extends Emergency To Pend Oreille

Sat., Dec. 7, 1996

Associated Press

Gov. Mike Lowry on Friday declared a state of emergency in Pend Oreille County, which suffered property damage and power outages in recent winter storms.

The move amends Lowry’s Nov. 20 emergency declaration, which was limited to Spokane County. The Spokane area was hit by a November ice storm that downed trees and power lines, causing massive power outages and millions of dollars in damages.

The emergency declaration directs state agencies to provide relief services to county residents.

Pend Oreille County, in the state’s northeastern corner, was also hit by the Nov. 19 storm. But the rural county suffered greater damages from heavy snowfall Nov. 27.

Most of Pend Oreille Public Utility District’s 7,500 customers lost power because of the storm, which dumped 12 to 18 inches of wet snow in the area. Power has since been restored to nearly all customers.

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