Howard Hanson Dam Event

September 14, 2009

In four and a half years as governor, I have been impressed many times by our communities� ability to respond to danger: forest fires, drought, snow storms and more than one major flood. We have learned the importance of being prepared.

We are here today to help prepare the citizens and businesses that live here for what could be a tough winter. We can�t stop the rain, but we can get prepared in case we have yet another 100-year storm.

Together, we can face it. The Army Corps of Engineers operates the Howard Hanson Dam and is closely monitoring it and the Green River. Local agencies and governments are coordinating plans for a possible flood.

We at the state are doing all we can to back up those efforts. There are three additional steps the state is taking that I�d like to announce today.



First, I have sent a letter to the Corps of Engineers asking for materials and equipment to help improve the levees before this coming flood season. The Corps is working closely with the County, the cities in the Valley, and the state emergency managers on these short term measures. I know they are also working hard on repairing the dam, with interim repairs under way now and permanent repairs being studied.

I am also working with our congressional delegation to ensure we have funding for both a short-term and long-term solution for the Howard Hanson Dam. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Congressmen Norm Dicks, Adam Smith, Jim McDermott and Dave Reichert are committed to finding those solutions.

Second, I am issuing a directive to state agencies to assist King County and to take steps to be ready. Our Emergency Management Department, for example, will dedicate two full-time planners to help with preparations in the county and focus on helping the County find any needed resources.



I am asking our Department of General Administration and our Department of Commerce to work with the County on a plan for any long-term shelter needs that might arise in a flood. I have also asked Commerce to work to help local businesses be ready.

I have asked the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Transportation to support evacuation planning and to prepare to shift resources as needed if flooding hits.

These are just a few of the steps I am directing. Thirteen state agencies are making plans to help with this effort.

Third, I am appointing Major Gen. Timothy Lowenberg of the Washington National Guard to be the principle state official guiding our actions. General Lowenberg will bring an experienced, steady hand to our preparations. He will also head a flood preparations group made up of state agency officials to coordinate all of the state�s efforts.

Along with announcing these three steps I am making a request. The state is helping the county and cities prepare. We are asking the residents here to do the same thing: think about the future, and prepare for a possible flood.

Get flood insurance now. It can take 30 days for a policy to be effective, so don�t wait.

Make plans for your family, so you all know what to do if the waters rise. Have an emergency kit and supplies. If you have valuables stored near ground level, move them up.

Business owners also should make plans and share them with employees.

Just taking small steps to be prepared can prevent damage in the event of a flood.

This isn�t about being frightened � we are not here to scare people. This is about summoning the common sense and courage of Washington. We know there could be trouble, and rather than wait for it, we�re going to meet it with a thoughtful and ready response.

As I�ve seen many, many times in our state, when we work together, we can do great things. I�ve seen the generosity of our communities in emergencies, and I�ve seen their incredible resiliency.

Federal, state and local governments are working together to make us as prepared as possible.

We�re tough and we�re smart. So let�s get ready.

Thank you.