Congressman Asks Governor To Declare State Of Emergency In Yakima

4th District Congressman Dan Newhouse has sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee requesting he issue a proclamation declaring a state of emergency for Yakima County given the continued degradation of conditions near Union Gap at Rattlesnake Ridge.
In the letter, Rep. Newhouse pledged to work with the Governor to ensure that federal assistance and resources to the Yakima Valley can be provided as quickly as possible following a potentially catastrophic landslide.

Rep. Newhouse stated in the letter: “As you may know, the Valley is home to over 200,000 residents as well as the thousands of commuters to and from the area. Included within the affected area is the Yakima River, which provides invaluable resources to the region from recreation to farmland irrigation. Also, Interstate 82 (I-82), a vital transportation artery, is in the direct path for those who live in the region and who use I-82 on a daily basis. Any disruption to the Valley’s transportation or water infrastructure poses devastating effects for the State and the region’s overall economy.”
Newhouse plans a visit to the site on Saturday.