Get flooded? Report it if you want aid money

No one knows yet just what the winter mess will cost.

Damage assessments and the bills to pay for dealing with the recent snowstorms and flooding are beginning to trickle in.

Government officials around the county are reluctant to speculate on the total bill because it's likely everything will end up costing more.

Snohomish County officials are asking that damage be reported as soon as possible by those whose homes, farms and businesses were harmed.

John Pennington, director of emergency management for the county, said Friday that he expects the damage totals from the flood to exceed damages from the county's 2006 flood, which were about $20 million.

The state on Monday said it estimates that $3 million damage was done to Highway 9, which disappeared beneath the floodwaters in the Snohomish River valley for days.

In Arlington, emergency management coordinator Chris Badger said the preliminary price tag for dealing with snow and flooding along the Stillaguamish River is hovering around $100,000.

"But we expect that to double," Badger said.

Snohomish city manager Larry Bauman said emergency costs and repair estimates are mounting. Snohomish's water transmission line was exposed in two places.

"Ongoing repairs in the city have reached $700,000 and counting," Bauman said Monday.

Water in Snohomish is safe to drink, Bauman said, but about 93 customers outside the city limits who get their water directly from the transmission line are being advised to boil their water.

The city of Monroe took steps Monday to squelch a rumor that its drinking water isn't safe for use without first being boiled.

Concern was raised by recent news reports about a Monroe water main that broke during recent flooding. Just three customers were advised to boil their water, according to a city press release.

Bacteriological tests on the repaired system confirmed the water is safe, officials said.

The Red Cross shelter in Monroe still housed 14 people Monday, Snohomish County Red Cross chapter spokesman Kris Krischano said. Nearly 50 Red Cross volunteers helped with flood relief, he said.

Flood cleanup kits are available at the chapter office, 2530 Lombard Ave. in Everett, and at the Monroe shelter at The Rock Church, 16891 146th St. SE.

Darrington had relatively little problem with the flooding, but spent $36,000 for snow removal, a huge hit for the small community, town clerk Lyla Boyd said.

Dealing with the snow cost Stanwood about $40,000, and the cost of the city's response to the flooding will be several times as much, city administrator Joyce Papke said.

"This weather would never be welcome, but it couldn't have come at a worse time in terms of the economy," Papke said.

Flood damage estimates won't be available until floodwaters from the Stillaguamish River and high tides have receded on the south side of downtown, Stanwood public works director Andy Bullington said.

Stanwood's sewage treatment plant was flooded, including an area that holds biosolids, Bullington said.

"None of that material left the plant, so we were lucky in that sense," Bullington said. "The big issue now is how much rain and tidewater will slow the process of getting this water out."

Homeowners, business owners and farmers should file property damage reports with the county's Emergency Operations Center. Those reports will be submitted to the state, and state disaster officials will then seek federal money to help rebuild.

Money -- whether grants, loans or other assistance -- will reach only people who file formal reports with the county, spokesman Christopher Schwarzen said.

Federal assistance can be used to repair houses, businesses and farmland, Schwarzen said.

Outbuildings, such as sheds, greenhouses and other structures, are not eligible unless they are associated with a working farm, he said. Even so, county officials are encouraging home­owners to report all damage, even if it may not be eligible for federal assistance.

"We want to know all the damage so we can get a total for our county," Schwarzen said.

If Gov. Chris Gregoire makes an official declaration of an agricultural disaster, more money may become available specifically to help farmers recover. Gregoire has not made such a declaration, but she might if counties report enough farm damage, Schwarzen said.

People who don't feel qualified to assess damage to their property can call the county's Emergency Operations Center for help.

So far, only about a dozen homeowners have reported damage, county spokesman Schwarzen said. In total, those homeowners have claimed about $500,000 in structural damages and about $70,000 in personal property damage.

Some residents haven't been able to return to their homes yet, and many haven't had a chance to chronicle the flood's destruction.

Schwarzen said county emergency officials expect to receive about 500 damage claims. If those claims are similar to the dozen claims already filed, damage to private property would total $23.7 million.

None of the county's infrastructure has been fully assessed yet, Schwarzen said. The county, the Snohomish County Public Utility District, city governments and the state all have yet to file damage claims. Those claims will likely total many millions of dollars, Schwarzen said.

To file a damage report, call the Emergency Operations Center at 425-388-5060 or go to www.snoco.org/Departments/Emergency_Management.

Some people have been contacted by salesmen claiming to offer low-interest loans to help rebuild, Schwarzen said, but there isn't any state or federal assistance available yet. The region could be targeted by scammers posing as federal emergency management agents or representatives.

"People should be very wary of anyone who calls offering them any kind of assistance," Schwarzen said.

A low-lying section of Highway 9 south of Snohomish remained closed much of Monday because of water over the roadway. The state Department of Transportation reopened the northbound lane of the highway between Second Street and E. Lowell-Larimer Road in time for the afternoon commute. Both directions were expected to be open today.

"Once the last of the floodwaters recede we'll be assessing the condition of the road," said Jeff Switzer, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation.



Reporter David Chircop contributed to this report.

Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Story tags » 

• Arlington • Darrington • Monroe • Snohomish • Stanwood • Flood • Snohomish County government • PUD • Highway 9

What to do

Owners of farms, homes and businesses damaged by flooding should file a report by contacting the Snohomish County Emergency Operations Center at 425-388-5060 or www.snoco.org/Departments/Emergency_Management.

Safety tips for flood cleanup

The state Department of Health has issued a list of precautions for those returning to flood-damaged homes and businesses.

Rubber boots and gloves should be worn, and people should be up to date on immunizations.

Indoor mold is a problem that may develop, so things that can't be washed and disinfected should be thrown out.

Drywall and insulation should be replaced.

Bleach should be used on all hard surfaces.

Commercial canned food can be saved after the can is washed. All other food touched by floodwaters should be thrown away.

Many cities plan to offer debris disposal locations this week.

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