President Barack Obama declared a federal disaster for 10 counties in Washington, including Lewis County, for damage from the December storm that brought flooding to the east end.
The declaration makes Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance funding available to the affected counties.
Federal funds can pay for up to 75 percent of the cost for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repair or replacement of damaged infrastructure for local, state and tribal governments and some nonprofit organizations.
According to a press release, the December storm caused more than $19 million in damage.
“Once again, I thank the Obama administration for its quick response and support for a second disaster declaration in a month due to the damaging effects of another winter storm,” Gov. Jay Inslee said in a press release. “... As I said before, our budgets are stretched very thin. This assistance will help our communities make repairs and resume important services that Washingtonians rely on.”
Along with Lewis County, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties all all eligible for funds.
The declaration also makes grants for hazard mitigation projects available and covers damage that occurred between Dec. 1 and Dec. 14.
Businesses, nonprofit organizations and homeowners and renters whose property was damaged in December can apply for low-interest disaster loans through the Small Business Administration. Loan outreach began in Cowlitz County Tuesday, and those affected in adjacent counties, including Lewis, can also apply.
