Governor Gregoire Announces Federal Disaster Declaration for Public Facilities Damage

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that her request to President Bush for a federal disaster declaration for damage to public facilities has been approved. The federal declaration will provide significant aid to repair facilities damaged in the December 14-15 windstorms.

�Washington sustained severe damage from these windstorms, especially to our utilities, and we need federal assistance to fully repair all of these facilities,� said Governor Gregoire.

The President's declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide federal disaster aid for the repair of damage to public facilities in Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties. Governor Gregoire requested the disaster declaration on January 11 after surveys found an estimated $47 million in eligible public facility damage from rain, wind and saturated soils during the storms of December 14-15.

Types of public facility damage and costs that could be eligible for federal disaster aid include debris removal, emergency protective measures, damages to non-federal road systems and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

The declaration includes hazard mitigation funding for all 39 counties in Washington to eliminate or lessen the impact of future disasters. Federal assistance for individual homeowners and small business owners was not requested because the vast majority of eligible damages were covered by insurance. Individuals who have emergency needs from the storm should contact their local officials and voluntary agencies for assistance.

Homeowners and small business owners affected by the windstorms should report damages to the emergency management agency in their county soon, if they have not already done so. There may be additional assistance made available in the form of low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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