Trump Administration Denies State Emergency Relief After Deadly Storm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied a request from Washington last week for disaster relief funds in the wake of a deadly “bomb cyclone” windstorm.

Newsweek reached out to FEMA for comment via email on Monday.

Why It Matters

The winter storm in November decimated Washington, as rain and severe wind gusts of up to 70 mph toppled trees, triggered power outages, shattered homes and businesses, and killed at least two people.

FEMA’s decision to deny emergency funds to the Evergreen State comes days after the agency rejected North Carolina’s request for an aid extension as it continues Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

Washington bomb cyclone — Brett Gordon of Seattle points to where a large branch was ripped from a tree during a bomb cyclone, weighing down power lines in the Wedgwood neighborhood of the Pacific Northwest city, on November 20,…

Gary Roundtree/AP

What To Know

Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson announced the development in a post to X, formerly Twitter: “FEMA denied Washington’s request for emergency relief funds to help repair damage from recent devastating storms,” he wrote.

He added: “There are very clear criteria to qualify for these funds. Washington’s application met all of them. This is another troubling example of the federal government withholding funding.”

“Washington communities have been waiting for months for the resources they need to fully recover from November’s bomb cyclones, and this decision will cause further delay,” the governor said. “We will appeal.”

Then-Governor Jay Inslee issued a disaster declaration in 11 Washington counties after the storms. He then filed an application for FEMA disaster relief funds to help repair damage to highways, utilities and electrical power systems.

FEMA responded to Inslee’s request on Friday, saying disaster relief funding was “not warranted.” The agency did not provide an explanation for its decision. FEMA’s denial of multiple funding requests comes as President Donald Trump is considering whether to disband the disaster relief agency entirely.

“What they’ve done with FEMA is so bad,” Trump said on Hannity, the Fox News show hosted by Sean Hannity, in January, as a series of devastating wildfires tore across Southern California.

“FEMA has not done their job for the last four years,” the president continued. “You know, I had FEMA working really well. We had hurricanes in Florida, we had Alabama, tornadoes, we had—but unless you have certain types of leadership, it’s really, it gets in the way.”

Trump went on to reiterate that FEMA was “going to be a whole big discussion” because he would “rather see the states take care of their own problems.”

Earlier this month, the agency announced it was ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program used by municipalities across the country to help pay for projects that prepare for natural disasters.

What People Are Saying

FEMA said in its April 11 letter to the governor: “Based on our review of all the information available, it has been determined that supplemental federal assistance under the Stafford Act is not warranted. Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied.”

The letter continued: “FEMA’s Region X Regional Administrator will communicate any additional resources that may be available through Other Federal Agencies and/or volunteer organizations to address unmet needs for survivor assistance. In addition, FEMA will coordinate with the State of Washington to identify additional damage information to support an appeal if necessary.”