The county Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is asking people to catalog their windstorm damages through the end of this month.
DEM launched an online survey to help residents report damage from the high winds that raced through the community starting Nov. 19.
The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/Report_SnoCo_Damage It will be open to Dec. 31.
DEM will also have survey helpers stationed 1- 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the Lake Roesiger Fire Department, the Lake Stevens Station 81 on 21st Street Lake Stevens, and in the Evergreen State Fair Park near the Park and Ride.
Emergency Management staff know that some people may not have reliable internet access or may benefit from assistance in completing the damage survey. Assistance with the survey also can be accessed during business hours by contacting Emergency Management directly at: DEM@snoco.org or 425-388-5060.
People can qualify for windstorm damage relief if the county gets the funds.
The information may help make the case for disaster recovery resources, including potential storm damage assistance. The County is gathering up the data at the request of state emergency management officials. The state emergency management department will assess whether Snohomish County qualifies for federal relief funds.
The damage survey focuses on impacts to privately owned homes, farms and businesses.
The online damage survey provides residents a means to share more details about their losses – the first step in potentially qualifying for relief funds.
People should be prepared to provide this type of information:
• Address of damaged prop erty (Only primary residences qualify. No outbuildings).
• Primary cause of damage.
• County assessed value of the structure.
• Estimated value of personal property or contents lost.
• Brief description of impacts to structure or land and any unmet needs.
• Whether the property is insured: homeowners, renters or business.
It’s important for insured homeowners to remember that insurance likely will be their best option to recover costs from storm-related damage.
Businesses that sustained losses from the storm are encouraged to participate in the damage survey. They also are urged to complete a worksheet documenting estimated economic injury from the storm. It is available at www.tinyurl.com/
bsndamageform The form is used by the U.S. Small Business Administration in assessing disaster relief options. Completed business forms should be sent to: HSDamage@mil.wa.gov.
The storm, described by meteorologists as a bomb cyclone, caused widespread damage. At its peak, more than 135,000 homes and businesses were reported without electricity. Dozens of roads countywide were blocked by downed trees and power lines.
County Executive Dave Somers issued an emergency proclamation Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Staff at the county DEM have been documenting the storm’s impact since its arrival, anticipating the need to make a case for disaster relief.
“We want to do everything we can to make sure people who experienced storm damage that may qualify for federal assistance get the opportunity to report those losses,” said Lucia Schmit, the County’s director of Emergency Management.
Many County residents already have helped, responding to a social media request for images of damage near their homes.
— Story compiled from Snohomish County government press releases
