President Donald Trump on Saturday approved federal funding to help recover from December’s flooding in Washington state. The decision came after two prior denials of assistance following the destructive storm in early 2024. The exact amount of funding has not yet been announced, although state Governor Bob Ferguson earlier estimated damages at $182.3 million.
The December weather event brought 18 days of continuous rain and gale-force winds, triggering landslides, toppling trees and damaging roads, levees and utility infrastructure. According to state officials, more than 100,000 residents were evacuated, one person died, and nearly 4,000 homes were damaged. The president’s approval allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse some local costs for debris removal and recovery.
Governor Ferguson and Congressman Rick Larsen welcomed the decision, noting the importance of federal support for affected communities. They emphasized they will continue working with local authorities and tribal governments to ensure access to necessary funds for everyone eligible. The state administration plans to clarify funding details with the federal government in the near future.
Based on: Trump approves federal disaster aid for WA’s December flooding