The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire

01/22/09

Today I requested federal assistance for Clark, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties. Damage surveys continue this week and the results are expected to add counties to the disaster declaration request.

Last week�s surveys found widespread damage which resulted from flooding, landslides and avalanches earlier this month. I know President Obama and his new administration will give this request prompt consideration so state and federal emergency officials can begin to provide recovery assistance to the thousands of Washington residents affected by this disaster.

I also thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 10 staff for their active role in helping the state to prepare this request. Because of this cooperative effort on the preliminary damage assessment, I am confident that the federal government can act favorably on our disaster declaration request.