Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 21, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke appeals disaster declaration decisions, citing problems from series of state weather disasters

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today renewed Washington's requests for federal disaster aid for a series of weather disasters this year that have left hundreds without homes and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

"I have requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reconsider its denial of disaster declarations for a landslide in the Kelso Aldercrest neighborhood and for flash flooding in Ferry and Stevens counties," said Locke. "Together, these emergencies have left the state with 44 destroyed homes and property damage in excess of $24 million."

The governor made the following specific disaster aid requests to FEMA:

An appeal of FEMA's denial of a federal disaster declaration for individual assistance for homeowners affected by a slow moving landslide in the Kelso Aldercrest neighborhood. A new damage survey shows the landslide has affected 88 homes and destroyed 44. The estimate of property damage to the homes is $13.2 million.

A request to FEMA for federal disaster declaration for assistance for damages to public infrastructure in the Kelso neighborhood. Given the scope of the landslide, the city estimates losses totaling $8 million from damaged roads, water and sewer systems, drainage systems and pump stations.

An appeal of FEMA's denial of a federal disaster declaration for assistance for damages to public infrastructure in Ferry and Stevens counties. These counties, which have the state's lowest per capita income, suffered more than $3.4 million in road and public facility damage. Widespread road damage continues to hamper economic activity in the counties and local governments need additional finances to rebuild roads and public facilities.

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