Disaster Recovery Center Info

Cowlitz County has been added to the major disaster declaration (FEMA-1817-DR) for the State of Washington. This disaster declaration qualifies Cowlitz County for individual assistance as a result of the early January flooding.

If you had water or flood damage from the storms that began on January 7, 2009…Please Register with FEMA! It is important to understand that the request to report damages to Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management in the days following the flood was for damage assessment purposes (in order to get the above declaration), it was NOT the same as registering for FEMA assistance. The registration period is only open until March 30th, 2009.

Citizens can register with FEMA three different ways:

· Call toll-free from 8a-8p daily at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
· Go online to http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
· Register in person at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), 1942 1st Avenue, Longview, WA, (the building to the south of the Hall of Justice). The DRC will be open 9a-7p Monday through Saturday and 9a-6p on Sunday.

You do not have to go to a DRC to register, any one of the three ways is acceptable. Please remember, if you do not register, you will not get assistance.

For those with internet availability, watch the Cowlitz County DEM blog for updates or other emergency management related information. http://www.cowlitzcountydem.blogspot.com/

Cowlitz County Added to Disaster List

Late Friday Cowlitz County was added to the disaster declaration list by FEMA. This means that victims of the January flooding can apply for aid and low interest loans.

To apply for FEMA assistance, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to answer your call. Those with Internet access can apply on-line at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is being opened in Longview within the next couple of days. The location will be posted once the opening date and time has been determined.

New Webcam at Kelso Airport

A WSDOT-funded web camera was recently installed at the Kelso-Longview Airport. The camera provides four views from the airport and is helpful in seeing weather conditions are in the area.

Another helpful service at the airport is a telephone weather station. By calling 360-577-1964 you can hear the visibility, cloud ceiling, exact temperature, wind direction and velocity. Pilots use this service regularly so it is very accurate.

Here is the link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/WebCam/KelsoLongview.htm

Cowlitz County Aid Update

This morning the Washington State Emergency Management Division sent a letter to FEMA asking that Cowlitz County, and seven other counties, be added to the list of counties eligible for Individual Assistance. We anticipate a positive response to this request within a couple of days. Once Cowlitz County is added to the list of eligible counties people impacted by the January flood event can apply for aid.

Emergency Management personnel will be meeting on Thursday with a team from the state to look over potential Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) locations in the county. We hope to have a site in the Longview-Kelso area chosen by the end of the week. Once the DRC opens flood victims will be able to meet with representatives from several federal organizations to apply for aid or low interest loans. The DRC will likely open in the next 7-10 days.

We will post updated information when it becomes available so check back often.

Sears Offers Rebate to Flood Victims

Did you or someone you know lose appliances in the recent flood? If so, Sears has offered a 10% rebate on all new appliances to citizens who experienced flood damage. Just visit Sears at the Three Rivers Mall between now and February 23rd to speak to a sales associate about this rebate offer.

Farm Loans

Attention farmers! If you sustained damage from the massive snowfall or the recent flood (or both) you are now eligible to apply for Farm Service Agency emergency physical loss loans. You will need to contact your local Farm Services Agent. The information is below:

FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE
LOWER COLUMBIA FARM SERVICE AGENCY
11104 NE 149TH ST BLDG C
BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA 98606-9565

(360) 883-1987

Cowlitz County to be added to FEMA list

It appears that Cowlitz County will be added to the federal disaster list early this week. Federal assistance in the form of Small Business Administration loans, farm loans, general low interest loans and hazard mitigation are all possible after the disaster has been formally declared. We are anticipating that FEMA will begin the process of opening a Disaster Recovery Center in the next few weeks.
Also, small businesses whose sales were adversely affected by the snow storm in December can apply for SBA loans when the Disaster Recovery Center is opened. Please be aware that none of this has occurred yet, we are just giving readers a heads up that this will be happening.