In the wake of the devastating storm that passed through Western Washington, thousands of residents have had their daily lives completely disrupted. After visiting the damage in person, it is clear that our residents need help to quickly rebuild their communities and get back on track. I am working to ensure that our communities and businesses get the help they need.
I would also like to commend both Governor Chris Gregoire and all of the local leaders who have done a tremendous job helping the people affected by this storm. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Washington residents affected by this devastation.
Please know that I am a resource to you during this difficult time. To help you figure out what to do now, I have assembled some information and support resources for you and your families and I'll provide more information to my web page as more information and support becomes available.
I know that it will take all of us to repair and rebuild our communities and that we have a long and challenging path to recovery ahead of us. But I also know that together we can do it.
Please do not hesitate to call my office at (202) 224-3441 or (360) 696-7838 or via the web at contact my office if I can provide any additional assistance.
Residents in homes without power should also be aware of the following safety tips:
FEMA will need your:
- Full legal name
- Social Security number
- Current and pre-disaster address
- A telephone number where you can be contacted
- Insurance information
- Total household annual income
- A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster
- In addition, if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account, FEMA will ask you for your bank routing number and account number.
*Updated Designated Counties: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Thurston, Clallam and Kitsap Counties
To check the status of your application by phone or online with FEMA:
- Dial 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), and push #3 to for the Helpline.
- Go to www.FEMA.gov/register.shtm, click on the “Go to FEMA Online Registration/Individual Assistance Center (IAC), Select "Review your Application", then select "Create My Account"
Red Cross Service Centers:
The American Red Cross has opened service centers around key affected areas to provide residents with a voucher to purchase new clothing, groceries, essential medications, bedding, essential furnishings, and other items to meet emergency needs. They can also provide rental lodging guidance and other services. The Red Cross can also help provide you with a cleanup kit: mop, broom, bucket, and cleaning supplies.
Red Cross is currently operating service centers in:
- Lewis County - Bethel Church, 132 Kirkland Road, Chehalis; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
- Grays Harbor County - The Red Cross plans Wednesday to open at a location in Aberdeen and, perhaps, Montesano.
- Pacific County - 2870 Ocean Street, South Bend; 8 a.m.-6 p.m., daily.
If you are in the impacted areas and need assistance, you can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) to find out more information.
Other Open Shelters in the Region:
- Lewis County - Westminster Presbyterian Church, 349 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis; Lewis County Shelter, Centralia Middle School, 901 Johnson Road
- Thurston County - American Red Cross Shelter at Gloria Dei Presbyterian Church, 1515 Harrison Blvd., Olympia; Rochester LDS Church, 1805 Paulson S.W., Rochester
- King County - Shoreline American Red Cross Shelter, Spartan Recreation Center; Woodinville City Shelter, Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133 Ave. NE
- Snohomish County - American Red Cross Shelter at World Harvester Family Church, 29830 52nd Ave. W.
- Mason County - Shelton PUD, #3 Building, 307 W. Cota, Shelton; Belfair-Theier Community Center, 22871 NE State Rte. 3
- Kitsap County - Silverdale United Methodist Church, 9982 Silverdale Way, Silverdale
Disaster Food Stamp Program:
The Washington Department of Social and Health Services has established an emergency food stamp program for Grays Harbor and Lewis counties to assist residents who have suffered significant storm-related damage. [Additional information on the program can be found here.
To receive assistance, you must apply in person by Friday, December 21, at the following offices:
Grays Harbor County:
- Aberdeen CSO at 415 West Wishkah in Aberdeen, open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Aberdeen Home and Community Service Office (HCS) at 503 West Heron Street in Aberdeen, open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Lewis County:
- Chehalis CSO located temporarily at 3401 Galvin Road in Centralia, open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Chehalis HCS at 163 NE Hampe Way in Chehalis, open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Flood-related Vaccinations:
Anyone exposed to flood waters should immediately wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes, mouth and nose.
It is recommended that individuals in flooded areas get a tetanus vaccination if they have not received one within the last ten years. If you have received a cut or wound, you may want to contact a health care provider to see if you need to be vaccinated before the ten year period has expired.
It is also recommended that anyone over six months old receive an influenza vaccine, especially those living in group settings.
Grays Harbor and Mason Counties will be opening clinics to provide vaccines to flood victims. Additional information is available online for:
College Tuition Aid Information
Flood Victims get a break on college tuition at Centralia College, Grays Harbor College, Olympic College and South Puget Sound Community College.
For further information please contact:
Local contact info for students:
Centralia College (360) 736-9391 x234
Grays Harbor College (360) 538-4081
Olympic College (360) 475-7160
South Puget Sound Community College (360) 754-7711
Avoid Storm-Related Scams
Beware of possible flood-related scams including fraudulent home repair offers, charity appeals and identity theft cons posing as government officials.
Offers to help with repairs and cleanup
Beware of contractors who solicit door to door, pressure you for an immediate decision, accept only cash, require all or most of the payment before work is completed, or refuse to provide you with a written contract. Whenever possible, homeowners should work with a local contractor they know and trust.
Don't take a contractor's word that your insurance company will cover the damage. Check directly with your insurance company. Special insurance policies are typically required for coverage of flood or mudslide damage.
Always get written estimates and contracts. Contracts should clearly state all the tasks a contractor will perform, all fees associated with the work and who will apply for the necessary permits. All guarantees made by the contractor should be specified in writing.
All contractors who do construction work in Washington must be registered with the state Department of Labor and Industries, post a bond and carry general liability insurance coverage. Check with Labor and Industries to ensure a contractor you intend to hire is properly registered. You can search online or call 1-800-647-0982.
Charity solicitations
Scam artists often take advantage of disaster situations by soliciting donations for a bogus charity.
If you want to help, give directly to a familiar organization such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. Do not give your credit card number or other personal information in response to a telephone solicitation. Don't click on links in e-mails - which often send you to bogus Web sites set up by cons who want to steal from you. Watch out for solicitations that bear similar names to legitimate organizations.
You can confirm that a charity is registered with the Washington Secretary of State's Office by calling 1-800-332-4483 or searching online.
Cons posing as government officials
Flood victims should also be on the look out for scam artists pretending to be employed by a government agency or a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance.
Cons will sometimes claim to be government officials in order to request cash up front for repairs, telling the homeowners that their insurance money is coming soon. Or they may pretend to assist you in filling out an application for assistance funds but are really identity thieves looking to steal your personal information.
Insist on seeing proper identification from anyone who offers assistance and never provide personal information to an unknown caller or someone who comes to the door.
Flood-damaged cars
It's possible that some flood-damaged cars may turn up on the market in the coming months. These cars may look normal but almost always have serious problems including chronic mildew and corroded wires that lead to electrical failure. When buying a used car, you should research the title and the vehicle identification number. Carefully inspect the vehicle inside and out and have it inspected by a qualified, independent mechanic.
Report fraud
Report fraud to the Washington's Attorney General's Office by filing a complaint online or calling 1-800-551-4636. Report an unregistered contractor to Labor and Industries by calling the agency's fraud hotline at 1-888-811-5974 or file a complaint online link.
Aid for Small Business Owners, Homeowners, and Renters
Through its Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), the Small Business Administration (SBA) provides affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to qualifying homeowners, renters and businesses, in the form of low-interest, long-term loans.
SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses. For this reason, the disaster loan program is the only form of SBA assistance not limited to small businesses.
Currently, homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to cover unreimbursed personal property losses following a disaster declaration. Homeowners may also borrow up to $200,000 to cover unreimbursed real property losses.
Businesses may borrow up to $1.5 million to cover the cost of repairs and to cover certain other losses for economic injury, which is the inability to make normal payments for supplies, payroll, etc.
To learn whether you might be eligible for aid, visit the Small Business Administration or call 1-800-659-2955.
Donating to Charities to Help Storm Victims
If you want to help storm victims, below are a few local organizations that are helping out in our communities.
Donate online:
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