Inslee proclaims state of emergency following winter weather; Peninsula counties included, but no reportable damage apparent, authorities say

PORT ANGELES — Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed a state of emergency for 28 counties recovering from severe winter weather, including Clallam and Jefferson.

The proclamation will help the state Department of Transportation make emergency repairs to roadways damaged in storms between Jan. 30 and Feb. 22 and request federal funding, according to Inslee’s office.

It also allows Inslee to potentially request other federal assistance pending the outcome of damage assessments in the affected counties.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Emergency management directors in Clallam and Jefferson counties said there was no reportable damage from the winter storms.

“We had no damages in Jefferson County,” said Lynn Sterbenz, the county’s emergency management director.

“We got no’s from everybody and reported back to the state.”

Sterbenz said she did not know why Jefferson County was listed in the proclamation.

Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Cameron, who heads the county’s emergency management division, said there had been no reports of damage that could be attributed to the storms.

“I’m not sure why we were in that [proclamation], other than we were in the same geographic area as some of the other places,” Cameron said.

State officials said the storms caused more than $10 million in damage to roadways.

“The colder, wetter and stormier weather this winter has heavily impacted many communities throughout the state,” Inslee said in a news release.

“The impacts have been significant, from snow removal and damage to public facilities to transportation interruptions and the opening of shelters to assist those whose power was out or their homes damaged.

“Staff from appropriate state agencies are working with local officials to quantify the impacts and damages so we can determine whether to request federal assistance.”

Claudia Bingham Baker, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said there was no storm-related damage to state highways in Clallam County.

“Nothing to report from Jefferson County, either, at least from a state highway perspective,” Bingham Baker said.

Olympic National Park closed Olympic Hot Springs Road at the Madison Falls trailhead Feb. 16 after heavy rain and snowmelt caused the Elwha River to flow across the federal road.

The state proclamation also covers Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Whitman counties.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.

More in News

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Stew Cockburn stands in the spring annual section prior to it being for early spring gardeners.
New Dungeness Nursery planted in landscaping industry

Family and their employees work 2-acre location in Sequim

Partnership discussion may violate state law

OMC in Phase 2 of exploratory process

Members of the public take a guided tour at Port Townsend High School on Wednesday. (Elijah Sussman/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend school district may seek $90M bond

Tour highlights high school’s infrastructure needs

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading