OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Jay Inslee is asking for an expansion of a federal emergency declaration the state received earlier this week in response to a devastating mudslide that has killed at least two dozen people and left many missing.
Inslee issued the request Thursday for additional help that would come from an expanded declaration, including helping local and state government agencies recover a portion of the estimated $4.5 million expected to be spent on emergency response, protective measures and debris removal related to Saturday’s mudslide in Oso. The current declaration that was received Monday provided federal disaster teams, other personnel and equipment.
State and Snohomish County officials are also assembling data needed in advance of the governor requesting a major disaster declaration from the president that would make programs and money available to people and businesses directly impacted by the slide. Inslee’s office says that request is expected in the next few days.
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