Wash. Disaster Aid Tops $72.5 Million

More than $72.5 million in disaster assistance has now been approved to help Washingtonians recover from the December 2007 storms, according to officials with Washington Emergency Management Division (WA-EMD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Individuals Assistance programs (IA) are to help individuals and families affected by the storms and flooding. Qualifying individuals may receive funds to cover disaster-related costs such as home repairs, temporary housing and personal property losses. Ten counties were designated for IA. SBA low-interest disaster loans are provided for individuals and businesses in counties designated for IA who qualify. SBA loans help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Public Assistance programs (PA) are for infrastructure to help State and local governments, federally recognized tribes, and non-profit agencies providing essential services. These entities can be reimbursed for disaster-related costs for emergency response, debris removal and repair to roads, utilities, public buildings, parks and facilities. Twelve counties were designated for PA. Under the presidential disaster declaration, FEMA's PA program pays 75 percent of eligible costs, while the state of Washington and the local applicants share the remaining 25 percent. So far, 1,320 Project Worksheets have been received. Of these, 909 have been obligated, or 60.2% of the total.