Obama declares emergency for mudslide

President Obama signed an emergency declaration for the Shohomish County mudslide in an effort to speed federal aid to the area. Obama authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and provide assistance. The federal government will provide money to help cover the cost of some emergency protective measures. The declaration, signed Monday evening, calls for FEMA to provide help “to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Snohomish County.” Gov. Jay Inslee said earlier Monday he had received assurances from FEMA officials that the federal government would move quickly to provide aid.