Clinton Declares Washington Disaster Area, Pledges Aid

President Clinton declared Washington state a disaster area Wednesday, freeing $20 million in federal assistance to nine counties hit hard by floods and wind damage in November and December.

However, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., warned the help may be delayed because the government shutdown has closed the offices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The good news is that the federal government has declared their willingness to help. The bad news is with the federal shutdown it’s going to be slow getting the money out,” Murray said.

FEMA currently is operating with about 15 percent of its permanent staff.

Clinton approved the money for Chelan, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties, for damage suffered between Nov. 7 and Dec. 18, 1995, according to a statement issued by FEMA.

Damage assessments were continuing and additional counties may be added to the list. Other counties where states of emergency had been declared were Clallam, Clark, Jefferson, Mason, Pierce, Whatcom and Yakima.

Murray said FEMA Director James Lee Witt told her on Wednesday that $3.9 million would be dedicated to individual assistance, most likely in the form of grants and loans to homeowners and businesses.

The other $16.1 million will be used as public assistance on a cost-share basis to state and local governments for repair of roads and bridges.

The nine counties are eligible for both kinds of assistance, with the exception of Thurston, which was cleared only for the aid to individuals.