Washington Declares Storm Emergency

Flooding, high winds wreaking havoc, causing deaths
By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 4, 2007 4:45 AM CST
Washington Declares Storm Emergency
People watch floodwaters move across a road Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, after a flash flood swept down a tributary of Kennedy Creek near Olympia, Wash. Drenching rain swelled rivers and flooded streets across much of Western Washington on Monday, and high winds gusting to more than 80 mph, blew trees into...   (Associated Press)

A state of emergency was declared yesterday for the western part of Washington, the area hardest hit by severe storms in the last few days. Massive flooding, heavy rains and high winds have killed at least two people, caused a three-day shutdown of an interstate and other major highways, and knocked out electricity to tens of thousands of residents.

Several homes and businesses have been evacuated. The weather is "causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, public utilities, public facilities and infrastructure," said the governor. Declaring a state of emergency allows counties to ask for aid from the National Guard. (More Washington stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X