Fact Check: Washington state's disaster appeal for $30 million in damages was denied.

Fact Check: "Washington state's disaster appeal for $30 million in damages was denied."

What We Know

Washington state's application for federal disaster relief was indeed denied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The state had sought assistance for damages estimated at $34 million resulting from severe storms, including a "bomb cyclone," that struck in November 2024. Governor Bob Ferguson confirmed that Washington's application met all necessary criteria for the funding but was still denied without explanation (source-2). The initial proclamation of disaster by former Governor Jay Inslee included nine counties, later expanded to eleven as the extent of the damage became clearer (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Washington state's disaster appeal for $30 million was denied is partially true. While the state did apply for federal disaster relief, the specific amount mentioned in the claim is slightly inaccurate. The amount requested was $34 million, not $30 million. This discrepancy is significant as it reflects the actual financial impact of the disaster as assessed by state officials (source-2).

The reliability of the sources is strong, particularly the official statements from the Washington state government and FEMA. Governor Ferguson's statement provides a clear account of the situation and the state's intentions to appeal the decision (source-2). Additionally, the Associated Press report corroborates the denial and the estimated damage amount, further reinforcing the credibility of the information (source-6).

However, it is important to note that the claim does not specify the exact amount of damages sought, which is critical for understanding the context of the denial. The state's ongoing efforts to appeal the decision indicate that they believe the denial was unwarranted and that the damage assessment may still be updated (source-3).

Conclusion

The verdict is Partially True. While it is accurate that Washington state's disaster appeal was denied, the claim misstates the amount of damages sought. The correct figure is $34 million, not $30 million. This distinction is important for accurately understanding the scope of the disaster and the state's response.

Fact Check: Washington state's disaster appeal for $30 million in damages was denied.