Grant, Adams counties covered in emergency proclamation

OLYMPIA — Grant and Adams counties were included in Governor Jay Inslee’s emergency proclamation to make available state resources to deal with possible flooding or other damages caused by wet weather.

Inslee’s proclamation, which was issued on Friday, covers Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, Walla Walla and Yakima counties. The proclamation was issued in anticipation of wet weather that has previously impacted, and is expected to again, several eastern Washington counties in the upcoming days.

“The continual rain showers and early snow melt create the potential for rising waters, destructive landslides and damage to our critical infrastructure, including our power grid and transportation system,” Inslee said. “This is a proactive move to ensure that state agencies are able to do everything reasonably possible to help communities recover quickly in the event major damage occurs.”

State emergency management officials have already responded to requests for state assistance. Washington Conservation Corps crew members responded to Sprague in Lincoln County to help fill sandbags over the weekend and to help find pumps to manage flood water, as the city has been dealing with extreme flooding.

Inslee directed state agencies and departments to use state resources in accordance with the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to aid flood affected areas.

“I also hereby order into active state service the organized militia of Washington state to include the National Guard and the State Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of the adjutant general, to perform such duties as directed by competent authority of the Washington Military Department in addressing this event,” reads Inslee’s proclamation. “In addition, the Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division, is instructed to coordinate all incident related assistance to the affected areas.”

Grant and Adams counties were previously included in Inslee’s state of emergency proclamation to help with recovery from this winter’s storms.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.