Gov. Gregoire�s statement on federal declaration for December winter storm and snow damages

For Immediate Release: March 2, 2009

OLYMPIA�Gov. Chris Gregoire today expressed her gratitude for President Obama�s decision to declare a federal disaster area for 33 Washington counties due to public facility damage and emergency response costs resulting from the severe winter storm and snowfall between Dec. 12, 2008, and Jan. 5, 2009.

The President�s declaration authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency grants that can defray 75 percent of the eligible damages to state and local agencies, Indian tribal governments, and certain private non-profit organizations. While the damage to public facilities was significant, the reported damage to private property was insufficient to include federal disaster aid programs for assistance to individuals and businesses. Fortunately, property insurance covered most losses to homes and businesses.

�This is the largest federal snow disaster declaration in the state�s history,� said Gov. Gregoire. �Local and state agencies have struggled to meet the costs to respond to the record-setting snowfall that occurred across Washington last December. The President�s decision can provide some vitally needed aid for these agencies.

�The federal declaration provides grants that help local and state agencies pay for their costs of clearing snow debris and protecting critical infrastructure. The declaration also can provide assistance grants to state and local agencies to help repair roads and buildings damaged in December snowfall and storms,� she said.

Feb. 9, the governor requested federal disaster aid for December snow and storm related impacts in 33 counties. The President�s federal December storms and snowfall declaration included:

� Disaster assistance related to snow removal and emergency measures in nine counties. These counties were Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Franklin, Kittitas, Pierce, Whitman, and Yakima.

� Emergency work and damage to public facilities in 24 counties. These counties were Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens. Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Whatcom.

Preliminary state/federal damage assessments found an estimated $28 million in eligible damage across the state from a series of �record and near-record snowfall, record cold temperatures, blizzard conditions, freezing rain, freezing fog, heavy frost, avalanches, landslides, mudslides, flooding, heavy rain on snow, and high winds,� the governor�s declaration request stated.

�Because of the ongoing joint state and federal aid operation for the January flooding disaster, we can expect a quick startup for the December storms and snowfall recovery program. We know state and federal officials will work closely together to ensure a successful recovery aid program for the December snow and storms disaster,� Gregoire said.