Gov. Jay Inslee says he's pleased with the federal disaster relief flowing to the state for last month's deadly landslide in Snohomish County. But during an interview with public radio Wednesday, Inslee said the arrival of the Federal Emergency Management Agency aid does not replace private charity.
"The sad fact is that we can't rely just on the federal government. These programs are not designed to make people whole,” he said. “If we want people to be whole, all of us are going to have to step up to the plate — state, county, local and individuals as well — to help these families rebuild their lives. And we're going to do that."
Corporations, foundations, individuals and tribes have contributed literally millions of dollars to a range of nonprofits since the landslide. United Way of Snohomish County says it has raised more than $1.5 million as of Tuesday, and the American Red Cross says it has collected $1.8 million for landslide victims.
Significant sums disbursed so far have gone to gas cards, which help residents stranded behind the landslide cope with the long highway detour through Skagit County.
