Governor Urges Businesses, Citizens to Make Contributions to Flood, Windstorm Victims

For Immediate Release: January 14, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire urged Washingtonians to continue to contribute cash and resources to victims of December�s flooding and windstorms.

�Businesses and individuals in Southwest Washington are still struggling to recover from the catastrophic damage the storms caused,� Gregoire said. �I urge our corporations and residents to open their pocketbooks for them. Neighbors need to be helping neighbors at times like this.�

She noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency last week added Wahkiakum County to the list of counties eligible for federal assistance. Others include Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Snohomish and Thurston counties. Individual assistance programs include grants for temporary disaster housing, and loans to eligible individuals, families and businesses.

Residents of all 10 counties need to register with FEMA, using the 1-800-621-FEMA toll free number or on-line registration at www.fema.gov, but FEMA can�t cover all losses, the governor said.

To augment federal assistance, the State Department of Emergency Management has formally requested that the Washington Interfaith Disaster Recovery Organization (WIDRO) coordinate long-term disaster recovery efforts. WIDRO maintains a network of faith-based groups committed to responding to disasters.

WIDRO will directly apply all contributions to aid Victims in Lewis, Pacific and other affected counties. Gregoire suggested directing contributions to WIDRO or other relief organizations. Information on WIDRO can be obtained at http://www.widro.org. To make a contribution, call 206-579-0522 or email [email protected].

A list of additional recommended relief organizations is available at http://www.emd.wa.gov/.

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