Mitigation Specialists Offer Re-Building Advice 

Release Date: February 7, 2008
Release Number: 1734-066

» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

LACEY, Wash. -- Mitigation techniques are ways to minimize damage when a home or business property is struck by flooding, high winds or other natural disaster. Whether building a new structure or re-building after a disaster, there are construction methods that are safer, stronger and smarter in the face of extreme weather conditions.

Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at the following locations to offer free professional advice to help home and business owners toughen up their properties against natural disasters. They will be available to share written materials and advice at:

Levee Lumber
Friday Feb. 8 – Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
523 Levee St.
HOQUIAM 98550

Oceanshore ACE Hardware
Friday Feb. 8 – Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
171 Chance Alamer NE
OCEAN SHORES 98569

ACE Hardware
Monday Feb. 11 – Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
110 Mill St.
SHELTON 98584

Mitigation specialists will also be at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) until Feb. 14th at the following locations:

Grays Harbor County DLOC
Aberdeen Community Center (3rd floor)
117 East 3rd Street
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Lewis County DLOC
Yard Birds Mall
2100 N. National Ave.
Chehalis, WA 98532
Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

"Mitigation is the $10 word that describes hundreds of dollars of savings down the road," said Kurt Hardin, state coordinating officer. "Studies have shown that you get back four times the benefit from every dollar you spend when you mitigate your property against future damages from nature's upheavals."

Some tips to protect property from future flooding include:

"Mitigation specialists are a good resource for residents to learn ways to protect themselves and their homes from future damages," said Federal Coordinating Officer Willie Nunn. "I encourage people to drop by and pick up informative materials and speak with mitigation experts about their homes and businesses."

Mitigation advice is also available on-line at the following sites: www.fema.gov, www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/coping.shtm, www.fema.gov/library/index.jsp and www.wadisasternews.com.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 07-Feb-2008 16:03:38