Washington state denied aid from FEMA for last falls bomb cyclone damage

FEMA denied Washington state's disaster aid request for damages caused by a bomb cyclone in November 2024. The storm resulted in $34 million in damages to public infrastructure and caused two fatalities. Governor Bob Ferguson expressed frustration with FEMA's lack of explanation for the denial, following an earlier appeal that also went unanswered. Senator Patty Murray condemned the decision, calling it an "outrageous" example of politicizing disaster assistance. She argued that county governments should not be expected to shoulder such significant financial burdens after a catastrophic event.

The disparity in disaster aid requests highlights a troubling trend, with the Trump administration reportedly denying 6 of 10 requests from Democratic governors. This situation raises concerns about the fairness of federal disaster assistance distribution. In light of these issues, local officials are now left to navigate the financial fallout from the storm's impact on their communities.