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US President Declares Disaster in Washington
US President George W. Bush Thursday declared earthquake-struck parts of Washington state a disaster area and made federal money available to repairs and reconstruction efforts, White House officials said.
The US federal assistance money must be applied for by the governments and individuals in six counties, including King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce and Thurston.
It can include housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. It is also available to local governments on a cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public facilities that were damaged, officials said.
On Wednesday, a powerful earthquake rocked the northwest area of the United States, shattering windows, showering bricks onto sidewalks, and sending terrified crowds running into the streets in cities, including Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
Some 250 people were reported injured in the 6.8 magnitude quake.
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