Washington Governor Gregoire requests adding three counties for disaster relief

December 15, 2007 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Gregoire today said that the state has requested that the federal government add Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties to the federal disaster declaration for the storm and flooding that began Dec. 1.

“Federal officials have assured us they will act as quickly as possible on this new request,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “I am very pleased that responders and emergency managers have worked long hours to assemble a request to add Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties to last Sunday’s federal declaration. Our thanks to everyone helping document the needs of our neighbors.”

The three counties would join Grays Harbor and Lewis counties, where individual assistance was approved by FEMA, Dec. 9.

If approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), residents and business owners in Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties would become eligible to apply for Individual Assistance disaster aid. Assistance available to eligible applicants may include Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans and/or Other Needs Assistance. Other assistance programs will also be available, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, IRS (casualty loss) and Crisis Counseling.

This week’s survey of household damage showed the region had sustained “widespread flooding, mudslides, landslide and damaging high winds,” said Kurt Hardin of the Emergency Management Division (EMD) and State Coordinating Officer for the recovery. “The survey report for Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties concluded the magnitude and impact of the combined events are extraordinary.”

Hardin noted that state emergency management workers are working closely with federal counterparts on the recovery from this month's storms and floods. “There is excellent cooperation between state and federal agencies, and this will speed the delivery of disaster recovery programs,” he said.

Hardin added that the State Emergency Management Division will work through the weekend to consider additional counties for the state's individual and public assistance (public facilities) disaster declarations.

“I know these government workers haven’t let up one step in continuing with recovery work and damage assessments,” said Gov. Gregoire. “They are dedicated public servants who are committed to responding to the needs of Washington’s storm and flood survivors.”

Source: Washington Governor

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