The State of Washington Emergency Management Division and the US Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have opened a Joint Information Center to help Washington residents affected by the January ice and snow storms.

JIC staff will provide media information regarding Public Assistance for the 11 counties declared eligible for disaster assistance under the March 5, 2012, Presidential disaster declaration. The declaration provides for federal aid to restore public infrastructure as part of the state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the January 14-23, 2012, severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

Federal funding is available to state, eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the replacement or repair of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.