Affected individuals can apply for relief with FEMA HERE; enroll with the SBA HERE
***WATCH: Wildfire Recovery Resources***
ICYMI: Senator Murray Applauds Major Disaster Declaration for Gray and Oregon Road Fires, Among Most Destructive in WA History
Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) is encouraging eligible residents affected by the Grey and Oregon Road wildfires to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and fill out U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan paperwork to ensure they receive all benefits available to them ahead of the physical deadline to apply for benefits on Saturday, April 20th. The Gray and Oregon Road wildfires, which began on August 18th, burned more than 21,000 acres in Eastern Washington, left hundreds of people without homes, and caused more property damage than any fire Washington state has ever seen.
FEMA disaster assistance can include money for temporary housing, primary home repair or replacement, and other disaster-related needs such as funeral and child care expenses. SBA disaster loans are available to homeowners for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence, renters and homeowners for up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, and businesses and nonprofits organizations for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. SBA offers low fixed interest rates with terms up to 30 years to help in recovery; there is no cost to apply and no obligation to accept the loan if approved. The August 2023 Wildfire disaster loan rates are as low as 2.5% for homeowners, as low as 4% for businesses, and as low as 2.375% for nonprofit organizations.
“For Spokane County, the Gray and Oregon Road fires were absolutely devastating—wiping out homes, businesses, and so much more,” said Senator Murray. “I made clear that I would do everything I could to help communities recover in the aftermath and was glad to see the Biden Administration grant the disaster declaration I pushed for alongside other members of our delegation. The deadline to apply for relief is fast approaching on April 20th and I strongly encourage every single person affected by these fires to register with FEMA and the SBA to see what benefits they may be eligible for and what resources are available to help them rebuild.”
The fastest way to start the application process is to register with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. The fastest way to enroll with the SBA is to visit one of the two disaster outreach centers in Spokane County (location and hours below), visit the SBA site at sba.gov/disaster, email SBA at [email protected], or call SBA customer service at (800) 659-2955. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
There are two in-person disaster outreach centers available in Elk Chattaroy and Medicine Lake. The locations and hours are below:
- Elk Chattaroy Disaster Outreach Center: Country Church of the Open Bible 40015 North Collins Road, Elk, WA 99009
- Medical Lake Disaster Outreach Center: Medical Lake City Hall, 124 South Lefevre Street, Medical Lake, WA 99022
- Hours of operations for both centers: Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; Sundays closed.
Those registered with FEMA who have questions, or have received correspondence that appear to be denial letters, or need help to start or finish an SBA loan application, are encouraged to visit one of the two in-person centers.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Senator Murray applauded the disaster declaration announced in February for the Gray and Oregon Road wildfires. In September, Murray spoke on the Senate Floor about the devastation the Gray and Oregon Road Fires caused in Eastern Washington, making clear that “communities in Eastern Washington have a long way to go on the road to recovery—so, I will absolutely be staying in close touch with folks in my state, and on the frontlines, and making sure our families and communities have the support they need to get through this.” Video of Senator Murray’s floor speech is HERE. In October, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers sent a letter to President Biden in support of Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Washington State as a result of the significant damages incurred by the fires. The full letter is available HERE.