Press Releases

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: 

“This is an unacceptable decision for the families and businesses that I represent," said Rep. Larsen. “The disaster declaration helps people recover from the last flood, but hazard mitigation helps people survive the next flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be helping Northwest Washington prepare for the inevitable next major flood, not just doing damage control. I just visited a hazard mitigation project in Ferndale and saw firsthand how elevating homes is going to save lives and prevent damage during the next flood. I will keep working to secure federal dollars that protect homes and businesses from future flood damage.” 

Today, FEMA announced that it has denied Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assistance for the December floods.  

Larsen Fights for Flood Recovery and Mitigation Resources 

Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight over FEMA. After disastrous flooding in Northwest Washington in November 2021 damaged critical infrastructure and over 2,000 homes, Rep. Larsen joined Washington’s congressional delegation in a letter to then-President Joe Biden to support Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for federal Individual Assistance. Last month, Larsen applauded the release of almost $4 million in HMGP funds to elevate 16 homes in Whatcom County. Rep. Larsen visited a Ferndale home that is being elevated thanks to HMGP funds on April 10.  

Rep. Larsen is leading bipartisan legislation to reform FEMA, which would streamline the federal government’s disaster response and recovery programs while also making FEMA a cabinet-level agency once again. The bill rewards effective state and local preparedness, cuts red tape and ensures that relief efforts are fast, fair and free from political bias. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Rep. Larsen's Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 in September 2025. 

Rep. Larsen has been fighting for federal funds to support Washingtonians whose homes and businesses were damaged in the December 2025 floods. Last month, Rep. Larsen applauded the news that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made available low interest federal disaster loans to Washington businesses impacted by December’s floods. In February, Rep. Larsen also joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation last month in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help repair state infrastructure damaged in December’s historic flooding. 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. The Major Disaster Declarations for both Public Assistance and Individual Assistance were approved earlier this month. 

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