Relief sought for six more counties

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked the federal government to double to 12 the number of Washington counties eligible for flood relief and to add assistance to individuals in Clallam and Kitsap counties.

The governor said late Monday she has requested that six more counties be added to the federal emergency declaration following the Dec. 2-3 storm and flooding. They are Clallam, Jefferson, King, Skagit, Snohomish and Wahkiakum.

“This move signals that we’re ready to get to work repairing our roads, bridges and other critical public assets,” the governor said.

“We are happy that federal assistance is starting to reach people in the hard-hit areas – specifically, residents and small-business owners – but we’ve got to start fixing facilities that were damaged or destroyed by this harrowing disaster.”

The aid includes repair of public infrastructure.

Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties were declared eligible on Dec. 8, although that declaration was limited to reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protection measures. Other potential aid is for roads and bridges; water control facilities; buildings and equipment; utilities; and parks, recreational and other facilities.

The latest request for the new counties is for all categories of public assistance and for full coverage for the earlier six counties.

“During our surveys, we found a significant amount of storm and flood damage to public facilities,” said Kurt Hardin of the state Emergency Management Division. Hardin is the state coordinating officer for the recovery. “We believe the Federal Emergency Management Agency can act quickly on our request.”

Residents were encouraged to report damage to their local county emergency management office.

Meanwhile, the governor requested that Clallam and Kitsap counties join the five other counties already approved for individual assistance. Grays Harbor and Lewis counties were approved by FEMA on Dec. 9 and Mason, Pacific and Thurston on Dec. 15.

The governor said more than 4,000 people have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, and the agency has paid out $5.2 million.

“It’s astounding that in little more than a week, we’ve had as many register for help as we had for last year’s November flood disaster. I’m just glad help is coming,” the governor said.

Aid includes include housing, small-business loans, unemployment checks, legal services and crisis counseling.