WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2018) – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the Federal Highway Administration issued $12,986,840.00 in grant funding to Eastern Washington counties, including Asotin, Ferry, Lincoln, Spokane, and Stevens.

“Last year’s severe weather took a toll on local infrastructure, especially in our rural counties who are already operating on thin budgets,” said McMorris Rodgers. “Entire roadways were washed out, forcing our counties to declare states of emergency. These were disasters, and I’m pleased to see the Trump administration recognize them as such and set money aside to assist counties with costs associated with repairs. This funding is badly needed.”

NOTE: From January 30 to April 3, 2017, a series of severe winter storms struck Washington state producing high winds, heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and extreme rainfall resulting in major flooding, saturated soils, landslides, stream bank and slope erosion, and other emergencies severely damaging local infrastructure. Grant funding totals nearly $39 million, $13 million of which is going to these five counties in Eastern Washington.

Following the severe weather last year, Governor Inslee formally requested federal disaster relief. Rep. McMorris Rodgers joined with Senators Murray and Cantwell, and others in the Washington State Delegation, in writing a letter of support for the Governor’s request. In the letter they said, “Throughout Eastern Washington, over 750 roadways suffered severe damage from multiple freeze/thaw sequences and erosion—the most extensive damage to the region’s road network in over 20 years…Consequently, we fully support Governor Inslee’s request for a major disaster declaration for the January-February winter storms (in 2017) that includes Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program as soon as possible.” Read their full letter of support here.

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