FEMA recently denied a request from Washington for disaster relief funds in the aftermath of a deadly “bomb cyclone” windstorm, which caused severe damage and fatalities in the state. The decision to reject emergency funds comes at a time when FEMA also turned down North Carolina’s request for aid extension following Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson expressed disappointment in FEMA’s denial, stating that the state had met all the criteria required for the funds and that the decision will further delay recovery efforts. Governor Jay Inslee previously declared a disaster in 11 Washington counties and applied for FEMA disaster relief funds to repair the damage caused by the storms.
President Donald Trump has recently criticized FEMA, suggesting that the agency has not been fulfilling its responsibilities adequately. Trump expressed frustration with FEMA’s handling of natural disasters over the past four years and implied that he would prefer to see states take care of their own disaster relief efforts. The recent denial of funding requests by FEMA has raised concerns about the agency’s future, as Trump considers potentially disbanding it entirely. Additionally, FEMA announced the discontinuation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which provides funds for disaster preparedness projects across the country.
FEMA’s denial of Washington’s request for assistance was communicated in a letter to Governor Ferguson, stating that supplemental federal assistance under the Stafford Act was not warranted based on their review of the information available. The letter did not provide a detailed explanation for the denial but indicated that FEMA would work with the state to identify other resources available through federal agencies and volunteer organizations to address unmet needs. Washington now has the option to appeal FEMA’s decision within 30 days, in an effort to secure the necessary funding for recovery efforts in the state.
Governor Ferguson expressed frustration over FEMA’s decision and vowed to appeal the denial of emergency relief funds. The denial has left Washington communities waiting for months to receive the resources needed to fully recover from the devastating storms that hit the state in November. The denial of funding from FEMA, coupled with recent criticisms from President Trump, has raised concerns about the agency’s ability to effectively respond to natural disasters across the country. Washington officials remain committed to pursuing all available avenues to secure the necessary resources for recovery efforts in the wake of the destructive storms that have impacted the state.
