Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is asking President Barack Obama for a major disaster declaration in Snohomish County to make programs available to help individuals, households and businesses impacted by the massive Oso landslide on March 22.
The request made Monday asks for access to disaster housing, disaster grants, disaster-related unemployment insurance and crisis counseling programs for those in Snohomish County and to the Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle and Tulalip Indian tribes. In addition, the governor requested the U.S. Small Business Administration to make its disaster loan program available.
Last week a federal emergency declaration was approved, which provided a federal disaster team and specialized personnel including the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the slide area. The declaration also allowed for some federal reimbursement for costs related to emergency protective measures and response.