OLYMPIA, Wash. – Governor Bob Ferguson issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday due to the “significant atmospheric river and winter weather event” that’s brought high wind advisories and flood warning across the state.
Many road closures have already been enacted this week due to damage or high water levels.
“The current and expected effects from this extreme weather event impact the life and health of the people as well as the property and infrastructure of Washington state, all of which is a public disaster that affects life, health property, or the public peace,” the proclamation reads.
The governor declared the state of emergency statewide and directed the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented.
The Washington National Guard and State Guard were also authorized in the proclamation to “serve on a temporary state active duty as needed to protect life, health, property, or the public peace” through December 31.
The proclamation also stated that commercial drivers delivering “livestock feed products and dairy farm products and supplies” are providing emergency relief, and therefore exempt from “the application of the driver hours of service rules.”
Motor carriers are prohibited from operating under the exemption terms if they have an out-of-service order in effect or do not possess a current FMCSA safety rating of “satisfactory” or better.
Read the full governor’s proclamation here.
