Extreme weather damaged local homes and businesses. Here’s how to seek reimbursement
The king tide and heavy rain that flooded the Gig Harbor area last month left homes and businesses damaged.
Anyone whose home or business has been damaged since Dec. 17 can apply for potential reimbursement.
The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management is collecting information on physical damages from extreme weather and winter storms at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/924/Disaster-Recovery.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 4, the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management had received 39 submissions, Mike Halliday, public information specialist for the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, told the Gateway.
During damage assessment, residents are only asked to submit “cost estimates” of the damages, he said.
“Essentially, a best guess in today’s dollars,” Halliday said. “At this part of the process, no one is expected to obtain quotes. If they have already received one, that can certainly be included in their initial estimate.”
Out of the 39 requests DEM has received, 12 are separate residential reports with a Gig Harbor address.
Most of the reports are from Day Island, Halliday said.
“We are looking for any damage related to the storms. Most reports are related to the tidal flooding and winds,” Halliday said.
Other reports include damage related to wind and ice, he said.
Submitting the information does not guarantee relief.
“Relief funds will become available from the federal Small Business Administration or the state’s Individual Grant Assistance Program,” Halliday said. “Once the county collects the information it will go to the state for consideration. If the state approves the request, then the process for compensating people will start.”
Based on information from Washington state, DEM anticipates residents would see funding approved by May at the latest, Halliday said.
