IT AIN'T OVER YET: Pat McCarthy Signs Emergency Proclamation

UPDATE, 6:06 p.m., 1/19/12

(Editor's note: This is from Pierce County)

Due to the January 2012 snow and ice storms and the related damages, Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy has signed a Proclamation of Emergency. The proclamation refers to the ‘numerous problems resulting from an extended period of freezing rain and snow, including major impacts to the transportation infrastructure, loss of emergency communications, road closures, potential damage to private and public buildings and other facilities, significant power outages in all areas of the County, and the threat to citizens’ lives and livelihood resulting from these weather impacts.’

The proclamation allows Pierce County departments and Emergency Management to take emergency actions and provide emergency services to protect health and safety of persons and properties.

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(Editor's note: Pierce County issued this shortly before 4:30 p.m.)

Winter weather advisory for snow and freezing rain is in effect until 4 a.m. PST Friday. Western Washington will continue to see a mixed bag of wintry weather tonight with freezing rain, sleet and more snow expected across the lowlands.

Warmer air will move inland late tonight with temperatures moderating and precipitation changing over to all rain from the south to the north. Temperatures will remain above freezing on Friday.

Travel is severely impacted. Numerous power outages are reported and likely to get worse. Travel is strongly discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted.

There is an increased potential for small stream/urban flooding Friday, peaking late Friday into Saturday. Also potential for landslides during and after this time period.

For updated information go to the Pierce County emergency information blog at http://blog.piercecountywa.org/emergency/ (click on emergency map).