FEMA Adds Washington County to Disaster Declaration

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 20, 2009

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently added Washington County to the list of Oregon counties eligible for federal aid to compensate for damaged infrastructure and work hours spent dealing with recent snow and ice storms. Emergency managers in Washington County estimate the severe weather resulted in at least $2.3 million in damage and storm-related expenses for time spent by public agencies and certain nonprofits plowing and sanding roads and taking other actions to protect the public.

Residents in the Portland urban area endured a series of winter storms that brought 18.9 inches of snow to the region over a two-week period last December, the snowiest month in the area since 1969 according to the National Weather Service.   

Highlights of the storm's financial impact on the various agencies and organizations serving citizens in Washington County include:

• $710,000 in damage to county roads that are part of the federal aid highway system.
• $643,000 in labor, equipment and material expenses for snow removal and other protective actions by cities, special districts and the county.
• $450,000 in damage to public utility systems. 
• $173,000 in damage to public buildings and equipment.
• $81,000 in snow removal costs and damage at private, nonprofit hospitals in the county.  

Local governments, agencies and certain nonprofits could receive federal reimbursements for 75 percent of these costs upon federal approval.  

For citizens, homeowners, renters, businesses and farm-owners affected by the winter storms, federal help may already be available in the form of low-interest loans. These agencies and loan programs include:  

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making low-interest loans available to small businesses economically impacted by severe weather from December 14, 2008, to January 4, 2009. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's impact. Business owners may apply online via SBA's secure Web site at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing [email protected]. The hearing impaired may call (800) 877-8339.
• The SBA is also making low-interest disaster loans available to residents and business owners who were affected by the rainstorms that occurred immediately following the snow and ice event from January 1 through January 4, 2009. Homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations whose property was damaged during those four days in January may qualify for loans to replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, inventory and other business assets. The public can find out more about disaster loans and application forms at SBA's Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, e-mailing [email protected], or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877 8339.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is making low-interest emergency loans to qualified nurseries, farms and ranch operations to help cover part of their actual physical losses caused by the winter storms from December 14, 2008, to December 26, 2008. Other agricultural assistance may be provided through the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance and the Noninsurance Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact the local USDA Service Center serving Washington County in Hillsboro by calling (503) 648-3174. Additional information is also available online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.  

Washington County urges the public to prepare for inclement weather and other situations that could impair the immediate delivery of public services. More information about individual and family preparedness can be found at www.take5tosurvive.com.

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