Federal disaster declared for 16 Washington counties

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a disaster declaration for 16 counties in Washington state, following weeks of extreme winter weather in January.

The disaster declaration makes federal aid available for local governments and nonprofit agencies, not individuals.

It covers Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties. The declaration also covers the Colville Indian Reservation.

It is the fourth major disaster declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued for Washington state since January 2022.

January 2024's “near-nonstop” extreme weather events, encompassing extreme cold, windstorms, flooding, and landslides, did an estimated $32 million in damage statewide between Jan. 5 and Jan. 29, according to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s office.

King County was hardest hit, suffering an estimated $11 million in damage.

Bursting water pipes damaged major medical facilities including Swedish Medical Center and Evergreen Treatment Services in Seattle.

RELATED: Why PSE urged Western Washington to conserve energy amid severe cold

Before 80% of Evergreen’s Seattle clinic flooded when its fire-prevention sprinklers froze and burst, it served 1,200 patients with opioid addictions.

Evergreen CEO Steve Woolworth said the building is a total loss.

It remains closed three months later, with patients, many of them homeless, forced to get methadone and other treatments in south King County. Despite shuttle service that Evergreen provides to its Renton clinic, Woolworth said dozens of patients have fallen through the cracks and have stopped seeking treatment.

"We're trying to minimize the effects, but it's been a slog," Woolworth said.

This story has been updated with comments from Steve Woolworth.