January Storm: Disaster Declaration Brings Aid to King, Snohomish Counties

President Barack Obama on Monday signed a federal disaster declaration for King, Snohomish County and nine other Washington counties for damages and costs suffered during January’s snowstorm.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from Jan. 14 to Jan. 23.

The weather led to $32.3 million in potential eligible damages, according to preliminary state and federal assessments.

The counties included in the disaster declaration are: Snohomish, Grays Harbor, Clallam, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum.

Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance grants would defray 75 percent of eligible disaster-related costs. That would cover repairs, property replacement, debris removal and emergency protective measures.