Federal disaster assistance is now available to Washington state residents impacted by severe storms that struck in December 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Saturday.
Recovery Efforts Underway
The assistance will support recovery efforts for damage caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides between December 5 and December 19, 2025. Federal funding is available to individuals in Chelan, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties.
The declaration also extends to multiple tribal communities, including the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Lummi Nation, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, among others.
Available Assistance
Individuals may be eligible for grants to cover temporary housing and home repairs, as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Federal Public Assistance funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for state, tribal, and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations to support emergency work and infrastructure repair.
Residents are advised to first file claims with their insurance providers before applying for federal assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or using the FEMA app.
John F. Harrison has been named the federal coordinating officer for recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional counties and tribal entities may be designated for assistance if further damage assessments support it.
Ongoing Challenges in Whatcom County
Recovery efforts are still underway in Whatcom County, particularly in cities like Sumas and Everson, which experienced widespread flooding. Everson Mayor John Perry noted that residents face difficulties rebuilding due to mortgage obligations and rapidly increasing insurance rates, which have “tripled or quadrupled” in recent years.
Perry stated that while FEMA assistance is helpful, the average household received around $6,000 in 2021, and qualifying for the maximum potential aid of around $40,000 requires meeting numerous criteria. Ashley Butenschoen, Vice President of Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group, emphasized that the funding provides “a sense of hope” for those who qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of assistance are available to individuals?
Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
Which counties are included in the disaster declaration?
Federal funding is available to individuals in Chelan, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties. Public Assistance applies to a broader list of 22 counties, including Asotin, Clallam, and Yakima.
How can residents apply for federal assistance?
Residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA app.
As communities begin the long process of rebuilding, what role will state and local initiatives play in supplementing federal aid and addressing the unique challenges faced by those repeatedly impacted by natural disasters?
