After FEMA denial of emergency funding, Dunn and Perry call for Administration to reconsider, approve state’s pending appeal.

May 30, 2025

Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) denial of a national emergency declaration, King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Sarah Perry on Friday sent a letter to Acting FEMA Director David Richardson urging the administration to reconsider its denial of critically needed funds for victims of last November’s Bomb Cyclone.

“Helping citizens recover from natural disasters of this extreme magnitude is precisely the reason FEMA exists as an agency,” Dunn and Perry said in the letter. “Given the overwhelming bipartisan support for this necessary disaster relief, it is extremely disappointing to see the original application denied. We stand with our fellow elected leaders across Washington in confidence that all the criteria to qualify for federal funds have been indisputably met.”  

The letter, which highlighted the non-contestable nature of the need for emergency recovery funds for King County residents, comes on the heels of a letter signed by Senator Patty Murray and every member of the Washington Congressional Delegation also urging a reversal of the denial.

The once-in-a-generation bomb cyclone last November generated winds of up to 74 mph, caused hundreds of thousands across the region to lose electricity in the worst power outage in Washington state since 2006, and left many homes uninhabitable. The state’s request documents over $34 million in damages across six counties, and $17.56 million in King County alone.

“On behalf of our constituents and all those across Washington state who are in serious need of assistance, we urge the Administration to reconsider this decision and approve the state’s pending appeal,” Dunn and Perry said in the letter.

Despite clear bipartisan support for Washington’s application for a federal emergency declaration, FEMA denied the application in April without explanation. The Governor has appealed the request. Councilmembers Dunn and Perry join the entire Washington Congressional Delegation, the Governor’s Office, and a growing number of bipartisan elected officials in supporting the appeal.

The full letter can be read here.