Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:
“This $3.9 million is great news for Whatcom County families. These dollars will directly help local folks get back on track after the devastating floods in November 2021. I am glad the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released these long-overdue funds, and I will keep fighting for federal dollars to help Northwest Washington communities recover from natural disasters and prepare for future disasters.”
FEMA announced the release of $3.9 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for homeowners in Everson, Lynden, Ferndale, and Bellingham to support buyouts for flood-damaged homes. Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight over FEMA.
Larsen Fights for Flood Recovery Resources
Rep. Larsen has been fighting for federal funds to support Washingtonians whose homes and businesses were impacted by disastrous flooding in November 2021, which damaged critical infrastructure and over 2,000 homes. In December 2021, 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. He followed up on flood recovery efforts in Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearings on FEMA disaster preparedness in 2023 and called attention to the agency’s failure to provide effective assistance to residents in Whatcom County.
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.
More recently, Rep. Larsen has been fighting for federal funds to support Washingtonians whose homes and businesses were damaged in the December 2025 floods. In March, 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 April, Rep. Larsen welcomed the Major Disaster Declaration for Washington state, and criticized FEMA’s decision to deny Washington Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assistance.
