Gov. Inslee declares statewide drought emergency

Gov. Jay Inslee laid blame on climate change as he declared a drought emergency for nearly the whole state on Wednesday.

“This is not political hyperbole,” Inslee said. “It is a scientific consensus that is jarring the life of every Washingtonian some way.”

Only the Tacoma, Seattle and Everett metro areas are exempt from the emergency, Inslee said. Such an emergency means the water supply is projected to be 75% below average and water users may be at risk of undue hardship, according to a press release.