Press Releases

Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today welcomed the Major Disaster Declaration for Washington state following the severe storms and flooding that hit the state in December.

“This is great news for the Northwest Washington communities that were hit hard by the December floods and need federal support to recover,” said Rep. Larsen. “Yesterday, I visited flood-affected communities, including meeting with the mayors of Nooksack, Sumas and Everson, visiting an SBA Disaster Assistance Center, touring a flood mitigation project in Ferndale that is raising homes out of harm’s way, and meeting with the Whatcom County Fire District to talk about flood recovery and mitigation. I have seen firsthand how hard these communities were hit, and I know how important this declaration is to getting people the help they need. My office will continue working with local jurisdictions and Tribes to ensure everyone eligible for assistance is able to access the federal funds they need. I will continue to work with Secretary Mullin and the President to add resilience funding to this disaster declaration. I witnessed the importance of this money while touring home elevation projects in Ferndale. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get these dollars out the door, and my office is ready to help.”

In Washington’s Second District, the declaration makes Individual Assistance available in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties and for the following Tribes: Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Tulalip Tribes and Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. The declaration also makes Public Assistance available in Island, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties and for the following Tribes: Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Tulalip Tribes. A full list of counties and Tribes eligible for individual and public assistance is available here.

Under the declaration, Individual Assistance can help eligible individuals and households with disaster-related needs, while Public Assistance can support emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities.

More information about the declaration and the portal to apply for release are available here.

Larsen Fights for Flood Recovery Resources

As the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen has a leading role on the committee that oversees FEMA, and he advocated for this declaration with the administration, including directly with FEMA Acting Administrator Karen S. Evans. 

In February, Rep. Larsen joined the Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump in supporting Governor Ferguson’s application for FEMA Public Assistance. In January, Rep. Larsen joined the Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in supporting Governor Ferguson’s application for federal Individual Assistance to aid survivors. In December, Rep. Larsen joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for an expedited Emergency Declaration for Washington state—that request was approved.  

Larsen has been working with local leaders, first responders, Tribal governments and federal partners to support flood recovery efforts across Northwest Washington and to help communities secure the resources they need not only to recover, but to reduce future flood risk.

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