into work this morning.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Just how bad have things gotten in the Portland region?
I just got this email from Michael Pullen, the Public Information Officer with Multnomah County:
Multnomah County has issued a declaration of emergency to the state of Oregon requesting resources to assist with the response to this week’s winter storm. The declaration was approved by County Chair Ted Wheeler and signed by Sheriff Bob Skipper in his absence.
The declaration was made in response to requests from the cities of Gresham, Troutdale and Wood Village, which are in need of resources to meet public safety needs related to this week’s storm. The declaration requests high clearance vehicles to assist with the transport of personnel in inaccessible areas requiring medical assistance and assistance in clearing roadways into medical clinics and other facilities. The declaration is in effect through January 5, 2009 and applies to all of Multnomah County, so that resources can be requested quickly from the state should they be needed by other jurisdictions in the county.
Multnomah County has provided several 4-wheel drive vehicles to the City of Gresham to assist with emergency response and the state of Oregon has committed additional transportation resources.
See the emergency alert on the County’s website.