Wash. Gov Wants December Storm Help for 33 Counties

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire wants 33 counties to be declared disaster areas so that residents and business owners can get assistance to repair damage from December snow and storms.

Preliminary state and federal damage assessments found an estimated $28.5 million in damage across the state from snow and record cold temperatures.

She wants added: Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Franklin, Whitman, Yakima, Clark, Garfield, Island, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Columbia, Jefferson, Klickitat, Skamania, Spokane, Walla Walla, Benton, Cowlitz, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Skagit, Whatcom, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum.

This declaration is different from a declaration for January storms that covers 15 counties