Snohomish County leads the state in the number of people seeking federal aid to repair damage from the November floods, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
As of Wednesday night, FEMA officials said Snohomish County had 256 people seeking aid. That’s about one-quarter of the 1,029 aid applications statewide.
FEMA to date has approved $424,390 in grants for individual and household flood damage in Snohomish County, FEMA spokesman Mike McCormick said. It’s unclear how many checks have been written to people from Snohomish County, he said.
Statewide, FEMA has disbursed $1.12 million in 11 affected counties, he said.
By comparison, 221 residents or families in King County have registered for aid, 208 in Pierce County, and 131 in Lewis County.
Officials said 72 families and individuals have come to FEMA’s disaster relief center at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe since it opened Dec. 20.
President Bush declared the Election Day floods to be a disaster, a move that launched federal aid through FEMA.
FEMA officials declined to release details of what aid has been given to individuals.
Nearly 200 people reported $8.8 million in damages from the flooding to the county’s Department of Emergency Management.
Public agencies, homeowners and businesses reported $28.9 million in damage in Snohomish County. Roads and dikes accounted for about $16 million in reported damage.
Fifteen RVs were reported damaged, and two houses and a cabin were said to be swept away. Carpeting was soaked and caked with mud in dozens of homes, and washers, dryers, ovens and other appliances were damaged.
Bee colonies and cows were killed, a latte stand was destroyed and a chicken coop was damaged. Foundations cracked, decks and awnings were torn away and hardwood floors buckled.
Statewide, FEMA housing grants average $3,946 for house repairs or rental assistance. FEMA grants for lost possessions, medical care and loss of transportation have averaged $2,965 statewide.
FEMA covers uninsured losses deemed appropriate following an inspection and tallying of damage costs.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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