Washington Flood Damage Tops $182M, FEMA Aid Sought

Washington state has officially requested a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the historic flooding that occurred in December. Governor Bob Ferguson stated at a news conference that the preliminary damage assessment to the state's public infrastructure has reached an estimated $182.3 million. This figure represents the largest amount of public infrastructure damage recorded in Washington in over four decades, adjusted for inflation.

The request, which has bipartisan backing, aims to secure federal reimbursement for up to 75% of repair costs. Funding would be allocated towards debris cleanup and the repair of essential infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings. Additionally, the state is seeking approximately $36.6 million in grants to construct flood walls and other preventative measures, citing recent successes like the flood wall in Mount Vernon which protected the downtown area.

These requests for infrastructure repair are distinct from a previous plea made last month for $21.3 million in aid for individuals whose homes suffered damage or destruction. That earlier request encompassed ten counties and fifteen federally recognized Tribal nations impacted by atmospheric rivers and winter storms. The widespread damage affected nearly 4,000 homes and led to the evacuation of over 100,000 residents, with one fatality recorded.