Working to strengthen flood preparedness in WA

Working to strengthen flood preparedness in WA

Federal, state and local leaders meet for annual Washington State Partnering Meeting

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Washington Emergency Management Division (WA EMD), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) convened Sept. 16, 2025 for the Annual Washington State Partnering Meeting to coordinate on flood preparedness, disaster recovery, and long-term community resilience.

The meeting brought together leaders from USACE's Portland, Seattle and Walla Walla Districts, FEMA Region X, and the Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division. Discussions focused on:

• Infrastructure Vulnerabilities - Addressing critical levee systems, erosion threats, and flood control structures at risk of failure if the region experiences another severe event.
• Disaster Recovery Programs - Reviewing FEMA's Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs, including challenges tied to permitting and environmental compliance.
• Community Preparedness - Ensuring coordination with counties, tribes and local governments on evacuation planning, emergency protective measures and recovery strategies.
• Partnership Commitments - Strengthening collaboration to provide timely support during emergencies, while advancing long-term mitigation projects that reduce risk to communities statewide.

"Flooding and natural hazards remain some of Washington's most persistent threats," said Jon Holmes, Public Assistance Program Manager. "This meeting ensures that federal, state and local partners remain aligned and ready to protect communities."

The Corps of Engineers highlighted active projects across the state, including levee rehabilitation in King County, erosion threats in Skagit and Snohomish counties and flood risk concerns in Dayton and Hamilton. Meantime, FEMA and WA EMD emphasized the importance of accurate damage reporting, preliminary damage assessments and Governor's disaster requests in unlocking federal assistance.

By combining federal technical expertise, state-level coordination, and local knowledge, today's meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure across Washington.