EVERETT – Washington will receive federal aid – starting with a $1 million down payment – for road damage from the Election Day floods, a federal official said Monday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters pledged the money on behalf of President Bush during a press conference at Everett’s Paine Field, where she was flanked by Gov. Chris Gregoire and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
The federal government “will work with the senator and governor to address all the damage that occurred as a result of the recent flooding,” Peters said. “We know the damage is in excess of $1 million. We will be there for the long haul to make sure this damage is corrected.”
Flood damage estimates have risen this week to nearly $29 million for Snohomish County roads, businesses and homes, county officials said Monday.
“Snohomish County was particularly hard hit by the floods,” Gregoire said.
Gregoire said the pledge of federal emergency relief was a wonderful message to Washington residents.
With a first influx of flood damage money coming, it means the state can spend its budget on emergency work “with the understanding that the federal government will be there,” Gregoire said.
For state and county roads, state officials reported $20 million in damage throughout Washington, a figure that includes some Snohomish County roads.
Gregoire requested a national disaster declaration last week for 11 counties where homes were damaged by floodwaters. Paperwork is going through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Bush administration.
The federal money pledged will address damage to roads, bridges and tunnels throughout the state.
Gregoire toured Snohomish County’s flood areas by air earlier this month, and said she was astonished at the damage. She said she saw the rooftops of homes and islands surrounded by river water where livestock were stranded.
Damage assessments are continuing. “We’re not done with the verifications,” she said.
A map of damaged state highways called out four Snohomish County projects, including $2.57 million in damage to U.S. 2 east of Index.
The repair and possible relocation of the county’s Index-Galena Road could cost $9 million to $12 million, county Public Works Director Steve Thomsen said. About 60 people live in cabins on the road either full- or part-time.
Today, FEMA officials will begin their review and vetting of preliminary damage reports to public roads and facilities, county Emergency Management Deputy Director Chris Badger said.
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