Disaster declaration sought for December snow

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire wants Spokane County and 32 others to be declared disaster areas so that residents and business owners can get assistance to repair damage from December snow and storms. Preliminary state and federal damage assessments found an estimated $28.5 million in damage across the state from snow and record cold temperatures. In addition to Spokane County, Gregoire wants added: Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Franklin, Whitman, Yakima, Clark, Garfield, Island, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Columbia, Jefferson, Klickitat, Skamania, Spokane, Walla Walla, Benton, Cowlitz, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Skagit, Whatcom, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum. This declaration is different from a declaration for January storms that covers 15 counties.