Gov. Gregoire's statement on expanding emergency declaration

For Immediate Release: January 10, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire�s statement on the expansion of the emergency declaration to recognize severe flooding:

�Late yesterday I expanded the statewide emergency declaration from Dec. 24 to include the ongoing flooding occurring in Eastern and Western Washington. I along with Sens. Murray and Cantwell, U.S. Transportation Secretary Peters and other state officials yesterday witnessed the conditions following this series of severe weather events. It is clear the flooding around the state requires additional effort by federal, state and local governments to address.

�As our state works to recover from the series of snow and rain storms that have strained local government resources, this expansion will provide greater opportunity for local governments to apply for federal funding. This action along with the immediate release of $2 million in emergency relief funds from the US Department of Transportation will help the state and Washington families and businesses recover from extreme weather damage. In addition to these resources, FEMA approved our request for an extension of time to file for federal reimbursement of extraordinary snow removal costs.

�I want to thank Washington residents for their continued neighbor-to-neighbor efforts to support those around them. We can all be proud of how well we come together in the face of adversity. As this winter storm wanes, it is important that all Washingtonians remain diligent and heed the warnings and recommendations from emergency responders until we are through this emergency, and begin the recovery work. I also urge Washington residents to report flood and storm damages to their local emergency management offices.�