by Elise Linscott
It was a tough summer for Washington State. Drought conditions that plagued the state caused dry brush to catch fire like a tinderbox, and strong winds caused wildfires to spread out of control while also knocking down trees and power lines.
This month, President Obama declared the severe Aug. 29 windstorm a “major disaster,” and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Washington to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in Island, Jefferson and Snohomish counties.
Obama also declared a disaster for the Aug. 9 – Sep. 10 wildfires and mudslides in Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom, and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
But not everyone affected by the wildfires will receive federal aid. The wildfire and mudslide disaster assistance will be available as required for debris removal, emergency protective measures, repairing or replacing public facilities, and hazard mitigation projects, but not for individual assistance like helping homeowners rebuild, in a move Gov. Jay Inslee called “very disappointing.”
Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
