Why It Matters
Washington state will receive federal disaster funding to address damage from historic December flooding that forced evacuations of more than 100,000 residents and caused an estimated $182 million in infrastructure damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approval opens the door to grants, low-cost loans, and cost-sharing for repairs to public facilities and assistance for affected households.
The flooding represented the largest dollar amount of public infrastructure damage in Washington in more than four decades, according to state officials.
What Happened
President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Washington on Saturday, clearing the way for federal funding to flow to individuals, nonprofits, and state, tribal and local governments affected by the December floods. FEMA announced the decision but did not specify the total funding amount being made available.
Governor Bob Ferguson had requested up to $173 million in federal assistance in February to repair roads, levees and other infrastructure. He also sought $21.3 million in aid for flood victims. Ferguson called the approval “excellent news” and thanked officials who advocated for the declaration.
By the Numbers
The preliminary damage estimate stood at $182.3 million. Nearly 4,000 homes sustained damage during the flooding. Almost 400 people required rescue operations. Thirty-three rivers reached flood stage, with three breaking historical records. One person died in the disaster.
Zoom Out
Federal disaster declarations provide critical financial support when state and local resources are overwhelmed by natural disasters. The FEMA approval allows Washington to access programs including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, plus cost-sharing arrangements for emergency work on damaged public infrastructure.
The state’s new transportation budget, signed by Ferguson late last month, includes $65 million in federal funding for highway repairs and $45 million in state financing for loans to counties and cities awaiting federal reimbursements.
What’s Next
The state plans to seek separate funding from the Federal Highway Administration for damage to U.S. Route 2, a major east-west crossing over the Cascades that sustained significant destruction. The status of that request remains unclear. State officials will coordinate with the federal government to obtain detailed information about accessing the approved disaster funds.