Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Temps nearly steady in the upper 30s. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. 2 to 3 inches of rain expected..
Tonight
Rain likely. Low 37F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
The Wasco County Board of Commissioners has declared a State of Emergency following the severe windstorm that occurred on the night of Dec. 16. This declaration, under Resolution 25-023, is necessary to address significant structural damage and threats to public safety.
The storm has caused a critical interruption to regional healthcare. Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Medical Facility, a primary medical hub for Wasco, Gilliam, and Sherman counties, and Klickitat County in Washington, sustained significant structural damage. This facility normally serves more than150 patients daily, and its current inability to provide services severely impacts immediate medical care for the entire region.
In addition to the healthcare crisis, the county is dealing with widespread utility failures and hazardous travel conditions. Downed power lines have caused outages for more than 200 customers. Furthermore, many county roads remain closed due to downed trees and debris, which significantly hinders transportation and the access of emergency response services.
In response to these events, the Board of County Commissioners has requested that the governor declare Wasco County and further requests immediate state assistance. The emergency declaration authorizes the county to expedite the procurement of goods and services needed to repair critical infrastructure and protect public property.
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