FEMA Deadline Looms: 3 Weeks Left for Flood Aid

State and federal leaders are urging residents to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief by the Wednesday, June 10th deadline, with only three weeks remaining. Assistance is available for those without insurance, underinsured, or with damages not fully covered by their policies. Don Kramer, co-owner of Briscott Farms, is facing significant financial strain, estimating over $100,000 in damages and lost revenue from the December flooding, despite not being in a designated flood plain.

Kramer's farm sustained damage to a hay shed, lost equipment like tractors and bounce houses, and requires costly repairs and elevation for his home. He plans to apply for assistance, though expresses skepticism about the amount he might receive, noting the difficulty in valuing older or heirloom items. FEMA coordinator John Harrison advises applicants to provide as much early evidence, like photos from right after the flood, as possible to support their claims.

Washington State has secured a FEMA public assistance grant totaling $182 million to cover up to 75 percent of state repair costs, according to Governor Bob Ferguson. However, the state's appeal for Federal Hazard Mitigation funding for preventative work on levees was denied. A Special Levee Task Force is being established to address ongoing issues with levees that were breached during the December flooding, with some repairs to be covered under the public assistance program.