A bipartisan push from Washington’s entire congressional delegation is urging President Donald Trump to approve major federal disaster assistance after December’s historic flooding—an effort that could shape how quickly recovery dollars reach families and local governments across Southwest Washington.

The request comes as Gov. Bob Ferguson seeks a federal Major Disaster Declaration that would open FEMA’s “Individual Assistance” program, which can help eligible residents with emergency housing, home repairs, and other needs after disasters.

What happened

Between Dec. 5 and Dec. 22, 2025, a series of atmospheric rivers and winter storms triggered widespread flooding, landslides, wind damage, and power outages across Washington, according to Ferguson’s office. The governor’s summary of the event reports more than 100,000 people under evacuation orders, 383 emergency rescues, nearly 4,000 homes damaged, and one death statewide.

On Jan. 21, 2026, Ferguson sent a formal letter to President Trump requesting a Major Disaster Declaration and asking FEMA to open Individual Assistance—estimated by the state at $21.3 million. He said a separate request for FEMA “Public Assistance” (typically used for infrastructure like roads, levees, and public facilities) is expected later, after damage assessments are complete.

What lawmakers are asking the White House to do

Reporting republished by Yahoo News from Portland’s KOIN says Washington’s entire federal delegation sent a letter supporting Ferguson’s request—arguing that state resources alone aren’t enough to meet the need after what they described as catastrophic flooding. The delegation includes U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, whose 3rd Congressional District includes all of Cowlitz County.

In a December letter cited in a separate post on Gluesenkamp Perez’s official website, members of Washington’s delegation had already urged quick approval of an expedited federal Emergency Declaration as storms intensified—an early step that can help bring federal resources for emergency protective measures and debris removal.

So… does Cowlitz County qualify for FEMA Individual Assistance?

Not based on the governor’s Jan. 21, 2026 request as published by his office.

Ferguson’s current request lists 10 counties—Chelan, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom—plus 15 Tribal nations. Cowlitz County is not included in that initial Individual Assistance request.

That matters for local residents: if FEMA approves Individual Assistance only for the listed counties, Cowlitz County households would not be eligible to apply under that portion of the declaration unless the request is amended or expanded.

What could still matter locally

Even if Cowlitz County is not on the initial Individual Assistance list, a major disaster declaration can still shape recovery in Southwest Washington in several ways:

  • Public infrastructure costs: The state says a separate, later request is expected for damage to public infrastructure—roads, highways, and other systems. If FEMA Public Assistance is approved, it can reimburse eligible costs for local jurisdictions and public agencies.
  • Regional knock-on effects: Damage to statewide transportation corridors and supply chains can affect Cowlitz County businesses and workers—especially in a region tied closely to I-5 freight movement and port/river commerce.
  • Precedent and politics: Disaster aid is often treated as a nonpartisan duty of the federal government. But the Trump administration has emphasized a philosophy of federal funds “supplementing—not substituting” state obligations, according to the White House response quoted in the KOIN/Yahoo report.

Why this matters now

The clock is already running on the state’s next steps. Ferguson’s office says Washington’s deadline to apply for FEMA Public Assistance and hazard mitigation grants tied to this event is Feb. 18, 2026—meaning the scope of what’s requested (and what’s approved) could become clearer within weeks.

For residents in Longview, Kelso, and the wider Cowlitz County area, the key local question is whether any future FEMA applications or amendments will include Cowlitz County impacts—particularly if there were uninsured losses, displacement, or damage to public infrastructure that meets federal thresholds.

Sources