OLYMPIA—It’s important to report damage from the recent bomb cyclone, say local lawmakers, because that data is how officials apply for two different kinds of disaster assistance.
“I’ve heard story after story from constituents who’ve had loss and damage to their homes and businesses from outages, wind, and downed trees,” said Rep. Lisa Callan, D-Issaquah. “This was an unusual storm hitting our 5th district neighbors hard, and it will take an unusual response to help repair the damage.”
“We really need your help to make sure our state and federal partners fully understand how badly this storm hit our community,” said Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah. “Your input is essential for getting relief for our area and helping everyone rebuild from the damage that was done.”
Anyone who suffered damages should fill out the King County damage assessment survey, which helps collect the data needed to apply for federal aid. There are thresholds for counties and states to reach to qualify to repair public infrastructure–$10.7 million in damage for King County and $14.5 million for Washington state.
Individuals and households can receive aid through a different program, though that threshold is high. According to the governor’s office, the state has only received approval for individual assistance four times in the last decade.
The state is offering the following services to storm victims:
- Unemployment insurance if your workplace temporarily reduces your hours or lays you off due to damage to the business.
King County is also providing resources for storm victims, including debris and yard waste collection and possible property tax relief. You can learn more about these programs and see other updates at the King County Emergency Blog.
“It’s a tough time for so many people right now,” said Rep. Bill Ramos, D-Issaquah. “Every storm brings new challenges to our community and our state—and I’m always impressed by how our first responders and neighbors come together to help.”
