Inslee updates severe weather emergency proclamation as cleanup continues
Nov 22, 2021, 7:14 AM | Updated: 9:25 am
A woman cleans out her flood-damaged home on Nov. 17, 2021, in Sumas, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
After major flooding last week in northern Washington counties, more financial assistance is expected to arrive from the state for those residents starting Monday.
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Governor Jay Inslee revised his severe weather damage emergency proclamation Friday to allow the Department of Social and Health Services to make emergency cash assistance available to eligible individuals and families in the affected counties.
The cash assistance program goes into effect Monday, Nov. 22.
Also, effective immediately, the governor temporarily waived restrictions that limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate a vehicle. That’s expected to address concerns over whether farmers can receive enough grain and feed for some 60,000 dairy cows.
Both amendments will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 18, unless the order is rescinded.
Flooding hits 75% of Sumas homes as responders stage rescues with boats, tractors
Gov. Inslee’s initial proclamation declared a state of emergency in 14 counties on Nov. 15 due to severe weather damage. The governor said last week that the state is working to secure federal relief as well.
“We have had some success getting loans for hard-hit businesses, and what we’re doing right now is trying to compile the amount of damage so that if we get to a certain threshold, we can get some federal assistance,” Inslee said.
“We are going to be aggressive in our efforts to obtain federal assistance for these homeowners and business owners,” he added. “It will be some period of time [before we know] whether that can be obtained or not.”
The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.
