The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently declined Washington state’s petition for emergency relief funds intended to address around $34 million in damage following the destructive effects of a bomb cyclone storm system that struck the state last November, confirms Gov. Bob Ferguson.
In a statement released Monday, Ferguson stated that he was informed of the rejection through a letter received the previous Friday. The governor asserted that the state’s application submitted in January had fulfilled all the necessary requirements to be eligible for FEMA assistance.
“This is yet another concerning instance of the federal government withholding critical funding,” noted Ferguson, representing the Democratic party. “Communities in Washington have been eagerly awaiting the resources to fully recover from last year’s severe storms, and this decision only prolongs that wait. We will pursue an appeal.”
The November storm system pummeled the state with intense winds and torrential rain leading to widespread damage and power disruptions, including the felling of trees which resulted in at least two fatalities. Termed as a “bomb cyclone,” this type of storm forms when a cyclone strengthens rapidly and has increasingly been associated with significant weather incidents nationwide, like recent hurricane occurrences.
Following the storms, then-Governor Jay Inslee declared a disaster across 11 counties—Seattle’s county among them—and lodged an application with FEMA seeking disaster relief funds specifically for repairs of public highways, utilities, and electrical systems.
The letter from FEMA, rejecting the application, failed to provide any justification, merely stating that such assistance was “not warranted.” There remains a 30-day window for the state to appeal against this decision.
This denial surfaces amidst uncertainty regarding FEMA’s future roles. Former President Donald Trump had previously deliberated on possibly disbanding FEMA entirely, suggesting direct allocation of finances to states for managing disasters themselves. Trump initiated a council examining the feasibility and implications of eliminating FEMA.
Earlier this month, FEMA announced the termination of a significant program historically utilized by communities nationwide for funding initiatives aimed at preparing against natural disasters such as floods and wildfires.
Under the guidance of the Biden administration, FEMA has played a pivotal role in addressing an uptick of climate change-related disasters. The agency has also focused on mitigating historical discrepancies surrounding aid distribution post-disasters.
FEMA is typically invoked when local authorities request a presidential emergency declaration, signifying the scale of damage exceeds the state’s capabilities. FEMA is then responsible for reimbursing recovery expenditures such as debris clearing, and it provides interim financial aid to affected individuals.
As Washington prepares to appeal FEMA’s decision, Governor Ferguson revealed that the preliminary damage estimation of $34 million is expected to rise as state authorities collaborate with county officials to gather accurate data supporting their case.