Disaster Aid Helps Washington Communities Rebuild Flood-Damaged Property
Release Date: August 18, 2008
Release Number: R10-08-118
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Eight months after the December 2007 floods, disaster recovery work has made substantial progress. The floods, some of the largest to hit the state in decades, caused damage up and down the I-5 corridor, and inundated southwest portions of the state. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Susan Reinertson, the December floods marked the first major disaster to strike the Pacific Northwest since the enactment of Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act implementation policies.
"Washington's disaster declaration enabled victims to begin to receive financial aid only days after the declaration," said Reinertson. "And, thanks to a lot of hard work and the concerted efforts of state and federal disaster program workers, we have already obligated funds for 98 percent of the public facilities that are eligible for state and federal disaster aid, and we're working closely with Washington State to help local governments through the appeal process for projects initially determined to be ineligible."
A total of 10,735 individuals and families registered for disaster assistance, receiving over $57 million in assistance ranging from rental housing and emergency repairs, to U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans. In all, ten counties (listed below) were designated for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA); two counties, Jefferson and Skagit, were designated for PA only.
| COUNTY | IHP ONA | IHP HA | IHP Totals | SBA Disaster Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clallam Co. | $ 18,165.76 | $ 225,354.18 | $ 243, 591.94 | $ 281,800 |
| Grays Harbor Co. | $ 251,132.81 | $ 1,593,364.41 | $ 1,844,497.72 | $ 910,400 |
| King Co. | $ 175,613.46 | $ 1,398,778.38 | $ 1,574, 391.84 | $ 2,085,100 |
| Kitsap Co. | $ 77,317.26 | $ 1,440,906.35 | $ 1,518,223.61 | $ 1,685,300 |
| Lewis Co. | $2,432,495.46 | $ 9,787,160.37 | $12,219,655.83 | $ 23,314,900 |
| Mason Co. | $ 60,563.96 | $ 1,236,223.87 | $ 1,296,787.83 | $ 3,180,600 |
| Pacific Co. | $ 59,412.45 | $ 483,147.57 | $ 542,560.02 | $ 1,444,900 |
| Snohomish Co. | $ 55,955.69 | $ 520,760.42 | $ 576,716.11 | $ 899,000 |
| Thurston Co. | $ 53,921,14 | $ 750,107.43 | $ 804,028.57 | $ 1,749,900 |
| Wahkiakum Co. | $ 28,530.86 | $ 165,691.83 | $ 194,222.69 | $ 85,800 |
| TOTAL | $20,814,603.66 | $ 35,637,700 |
| Applicants | Public Assistance Obligated |
|---|---|
| State Agencies | $ 6,528,861 |
| Clallam Co. | $ 605,603 |
| Grays Harbor Co. | $ 5,359,958 |
| Jefferson Co. | $ 291,507 |
| King Co. | $ 3,617,642 |
| Kitsap Co. | $ 2,484,777 |
| Lewis Co. | $11,025,140 |
| Mason Co. | $ 3,323,443 |
| Pacific Co. | $ 2,035,199 |
| Skagit Co. | $ 114,153 |
| Snohomish Co. | $ 1,680,511 |
| Thurston Co. | $ 1,131,243 |
| Wahkiakum Co. | $ 192,940 |
| TOTAL | $38,390,984 |
NOTE:
IHP = Individuals and Households Program.
HA = Housing Assistance provision of IHP.
ONA = Other Needs Assistance provision of IHP.
SBA = U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans.
PA = Public Assistance programs include support for state and local governments, tribes and non-profits (the 75% federal share of completed Project Worksheets).
TOTAL of all Federal assistance to date: $94.8 million.
Under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), additional funds amounting to fifteen percent of the total FEMA funds obligated for this disaster will be provided to Washington State for projects that mitigate the effects of future disasters. The Washington Emergency Management Division administers the HMGP, and has already received applications for 32 projects from around the State.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 18-Aug-2008 10:12:13