FEMA has rejected Idaho’s appeal of its refusal to grant a federal disaster declaration for five Idaho counties that were hit hard by severe winter storms in December and January.

“After a thorough review of all the information contained in your initial request and appeal, we reaffirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration,” FEMA Acting Administrator Robert Fenton wrote in a letter to the state dated Tuesday.

The declaration request was for Ada, Canyon, Custer, Payette and Washington counties, the first to suffer major damage in the wake of the big snowstorms that hit from Dec. 22 to Jan. 19.

“The window is closed for this particular effort to get federal help addressing snow-related destruction and preventing additional damage statewide,” Idaho Gov. Butch Otter said in a statement today. “But we have one presidential disaster declaration approved and another pending, so we’re exploring every opportunity to help our communities address their most serious recovery needs.”   

Last week, President Trump signed a declaration making available federal relief in response to flooding from Feb.  5 to March 3 in Cassia, Franklin, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls and Washington counties. Still pending is a federal disaster declaration for flooding, landslides and avalanches from March 6 to April 3 in Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Shoshone and Valley counties. 

Brad Richy, deputy chief of the Idaho Office of Emergency Management, said, “Our disappointment that FEMA has denied our request does not impact the state’s efforts. We will continue to work closely with the counties affected.”

He added, “This appeal was an important continuation of our efforts to work on behalf of the counties, to ensure that every available resource has been pursued fully.”

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