A new Disaster Assistance Center will open this weekend in King County to help Washington residents impacted by December storms and flooding access federal and state aid.
The center will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 2 and May 3 at The Outlet Collection mall parking lot in Auburn.
Officials say the site will provide in-person support for residents seeking assistance with recovery, including help applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans.
The new location expands access to services already available at an existing center in Renton, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the King County Elections office.
At both sites, specialists are available to answer questions and guide residents through the application process for financial assistance related to storm damage.
FEMA assistance may cover temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. Residents must apply directly with FEMA to be considered for federal aid, even if they have already applied through state programs. The application deadline is June 10, 2026.
The centers are designed to be accessible, with services available for people with limited mobility, those who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who speak languages other than English.
Officials say the in-person support is especially important for residents who may face barriers navigating online applications or accessing reliable internet.
Eligible applicants include residents in multiple counties across Washington, including King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties, as well as several Tribal nations.
In addition to FEMA assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters affected by the storms.
Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 800-621-3362, or in person at a Disaster Assistance Center.
Officials encourage those affected by the storms to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays and ensure they receive the support they may be eligible for.