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December 13, 2024
Inslee asks FEMA for more time to assess bomb cyclone damage
Gov. Jay Inslee has requested a 30-day extension from FEMA to determine whether damages sustained during November’s bomb-cyclone wind event will warrant a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. Inslee is asking that the window to submit damage assessments be extended to Jan. 24, 2025.
If approved by the president, public assistance would reimburse some costs associated with things like debris removal, or repairing and replacing public infrastructure.
In his letter to FEMA Region X Administrator Willie Nunn, Inslee explains the “local response and recovery efforts associated with these events, along with continued storm systems, have drastically slowed the damage assessment process,” making the extension necessary.
In order for the state and counties to qualify for public assistance, multiple thresholds must be met. Washington state will need to assess at least $14.5 million total in damages to public infrastructure. Counties have individual thresholds to qualify. For instance, King County has to record at least $10.7 million in damages. Whatcom County will need to record at least $1 million in damages.
Once damage assessments are complete, the state may also request to make business and homeowner loans available through the Small Business Administration.
