FEMA funds some WA flood mitigation, denies statewide funds
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide nearly $1.5 million to Washington communities and organizations for the historic flooding in December 2025, but it denied grant funding to improve preventive infrastructure statewide.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, which is designed to take proactive action against future flooding, also announced over $19 million in funding to Oregon for long-term projects.
The awards announced Thursday include:
* Nearly $930,000 to the city of Enumclaw for culvert design replacement to reduce flooding from the Newaukum Creek
* Nearly $300,000 to Snohomish County for a countywide flood risk study of infrastructure
* Nearly $180,000 for the Washington State Department of Ecology to develop a flood-risk reduction strategy for frequently flooded areas
FEMA determined statewide mitigation assistance was not warranted," according to a letter from the agency to Gov. Bob Ferguson. That denial, from a separate funding stream, can be appealed within 30 days. Ferguson's office did not respond to a question about whether the decision would be appealed.
Ferguson applied for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds projects like floodwalls, in February. If the request had been approved, Washington would qualify for grant funding up to 20% of the state's total damage assessment - a maximum of $36.6 million.
Calling the denial an "unacceptable decision," Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, said in a statement that "disaster declaration helps people recover from the last flood, but hazard mitigation helps people survive the next flood."
In a news release, Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, said the Snohomish County funds were initially approved in June 2025 but were held up awaiting the signature of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
"This grant will help give us more information about what needs to happen to keep people and property safe," Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said in a news release. "It provides the resources for us to look holistically at flood infrastructure countywide, specifically dikes and levees, so that we can work with partners on identifying and addressing areas of concern.
In total, FEMA announced the release of $250 million nationwide for over 100 flood mitigation projects.
In December, an atmospheric river brought 18 days of rain and high winds to Western Washington, causing landslides, knocking down trees and damaging roads and levees. Rivers throughout the region hit flood stage, and three broke records.
Major disaster declarations for public and individual assistance were approved earlier this month, supporting impacted people and households with disaster-related needs and funding repair and replacement of damaged public infrastructure for several tribes and counties.
The approvals made by President Donald Trump mean FEMA dollars can now flow to partially reimburse the state and local governments for cleanup, debris removal and repairs to roads, levees, utility equipment and other damaged public infrastructure.
Trump has dialed back such FEMA aid nationally, shifting more of the burden to states, and has floated dismantling the agency. His administration rejected disaster aid after Washington's 2024 bomb cyclone, even as Trump bragged about awarding such dollars to states that voted for him.
Politico reported in March that Trump had approved 23% of disaster aid for Democrat-run states since returning to office, compared with 89% of Republican-run states.
People recovering from the flooding in December can check if they're eligible to receive funds and apply at disasterassistance.gov/. A Disaster Assistance Center is open in Whatcom County at 125 Front St., Sumas.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 11:36 PM.