Flood damage assessed in Snoqualmie
January 28, 2009
By Michael Rowe
Snoqualmie’s City Council heard an update on flood damage estimates and recovery efforts at its Jan. 26 meeting.
Public Works Operations Supervisor Mike Roy told the council that the city has collected 733 tons of flood debris and expects to collect as much as 800 tons by the end of the week.
Mayor Matt Larson said that the city is looking at about $378,000 in flood-related costs. This money will come out of the city’s $1 million unrestricted reserve account and out of the city’s contingency funds. The city also expects to recoup some of its flood expenses from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The mayor went on to describe the financial damage dealt by the flood on the city. He said that the flood caused $3.2 million in structural damage to the living spaces of homes. This figure comes from the flood damage reporting, made by residents to the county.
In addition to the structural damage, residents have reported about $1.3 million in losses to personal property, such as vehicles or furniture.
City building inspectors have determined that 238 out of the roughly 600 homes in downtown Snoqualmie suffered damage to living areas. Now, many homeowners are waiting to see if they will receive aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or from their individual flood insurance policies.
Roy gave the council details about the city’s flood expenses. He said that $80,000 of overtime was accrued by city workers, and that private contractors were owed about $92,000. Other expenses include damage to the city’s planning building, road washouts, and repair of the Meadowbrook Bridge.
Roy said that several city vehicles required maintenance after the flood, and this will cost the city $9,000.
Councilman Robert Jeans asked Roy if the city had received donations of service from private contractors. He noted that several contractors volunteered their services after the 2006 flood.
“That’s not happening this time because of the economy,” Roy said.
At the meeting, the mayor asked the council for input on whether the city should continue to collect flood debris. Demand for the debris collection service has dwindled in the weeks after the flood emergency. The council indicated that it was reasonable to begin winding down debris collection activities.
The city’s flood debris collection site at the King Street parking lot is scheduled to close on Sunday, Feb. 1. Currently, the King Street collection site is open from 12-4 p.m. Residents who bring debris are asked to sort the loads into three categories: appliances that contain Freon, scrap metal, and general debris such as drywall or insulation.
Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 425-392-6434 Ext. 248.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
