According to Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Federal Emergency Administration has denied Washington state’s emergency relief fund requirements to help fix $34 million in damages caused by the deadly bomb cyclone storm system in November.
Ferguson said in a press release on Monday that the state’s January aid application was denied in a letter he received on Friday. He said the state’s application meets all criteria that are eligible.
“This is another disturbing example of federal funds withheld,” said Ferguson, Democrat. “The Washington community has been waiting for resources for months to need resources that fully recover from the devastating storm last winter, and this decision will be further delayed. We will appeal.”
The November storm system hit the state with strong winds and rain, causing widespread damage and power outages, blowing up at least two trees. It is considered a “bomb cyclone” that occurs when the cyclone is rapidly increasing. The bomb cyclone is related to major weather events across the country, including hurricanes, in recent years.
It was a Goff at the time after the storm in Washington. Jay Inslee issued a disaster statement in 11 counties, including Seattle’s location, and filed a disaster relief application to FEMA to repair damage to public highways, utilities and power systems.
The FEMA denies that the letter to the application has not given an explanation and says that the aid is “unnecessary”. The state has a 30-day appeal.
The denial is because FEMA’s future is in doubt. President Donald Trump questioned whether to dissolve it completely and donated directly to the states to deal with the disaster. Trump has formed a council to study how to do what with FEMA and whether to get rid of it.
FEMA said it is ending a key program that has been used by communities across the country to pay for projects designed to help them prepare for natural disasters such as floods and fires.
Under the Biden administration, the agency helps to deal with a growing number of climate change-related disasters. The agency also sought to address historical inequalities in how post-disaster aid was dispersed.
When local leaders demanded a presidential emergency declaration, the FEMA helped to deal with the disaster, which shows that the damage exceeded the state’s ability to handle it on its own. FEMA can repay government recovery efforts, such as removing debris and providing freeze-frame financial assistance to individual residents.
Ferguson said preliminary damage estimates in Washington could increase as the state works with the county to update its information to appeal.
