Helping Washingtonians Recover from Flood and Storm Damage (Last Updated: Jan. 13, 2009)

In the wake of the devastating storms that passed through Western Washington, thousands of residents have had their daily lives completely disrupted. 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 in a timely matter.

I would also like to commend all of the local leaders who have done a tremendous job helping the people affected by this flooding. 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 offices in Vancouver at (360) 696-7838 or Seattle at (206) 220-6400 or via the web at http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/office_locations.cfm if I can provide any additional assistance.

Maria Cantwell

Quick Safety Tips for the Aftermath of Floods and Storms
Get Help from the Red Cross
Avoid Storm-Related Scams
Help for Small Business Owners
Donating to Charities to Help Storm Victims

Update Jan. 13, 2009

The Washington State Department of Health has issued a biold water advisory for the following:

Residents of South Bend, the Parpala Road area of Naselle in Pacific County;
Residents of Morton and Pe Ell in Lewis County;
Residents near Port Angeles served byu the Crescent Water Association in Clallam County;
Resients of Water District #5 in Kittitas County;
Residents of Hart Creek Summer Homes in Yakima County;
Residents of Acme along Turkington Road in Whatcom County;
Residents of the City of Snohomish in Snohomish County;
Residents of Kalama in Cowlitz County;
Resients near Centralia served by Transalta Centralia Generation in Thurston and Lewis Counties;
Residents of Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park in Maple Valley in King County

Reporting Damage:

King County - To report uninsured losses, a King County Emergency Services hotline is available at (800) 523-5044. Individuals with damage to report should contact their own insurance company first. The hotline will be open Tuesday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The county will report estimated losses to the state to seek an emergency declaration for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some uninsured losses might be compensated by FEMA. Anyone suffering damage should document it with photographs and a written description.

Snohomish County - Damange reports may be filed by calling the county's Department of Emergency Management office at (425) 388-5060 or by filing out and returning a damage assessment form found at http://www.snoco.org/departments/emergency_management.

Helpful Websites:

www.fema.gov - Official site for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Provides planning advice for a variety of types of disasters, a citizen guide to preparedness, information on how to identify possible hazards or emergencies, and a link to review maps in your area.

www.ready.gov - Provides information for the general public on how to make an emergency supply kit, create a family emergency plan and stay informed during a disaster. Also provides a link for business owners and an interactive link for kids to learn about emergency preparedness.

www.floodsmart.gov - Official site of the National Flood Insurance Program. Provides flood awareness information, including how to assess your flood risk, advice for preparation and recovery, and descriptions of flood insurance policies.

www.nafsma.org - Website for the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies: an organization of public agencies whose function is the protection of lives, propoerty, and economic activity from the adverse impacts of storm and floodwaters.

www.floods.org - Website for the Association of State Floodplain Managers: an organization of professionals involved in a floodplain management, flood hazard mitigration, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery.

Quick Safety Tips in Aftermath of Floods and Storms

Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention.
Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards.
Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or television stations and return home only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so. Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede; there may be flood-related hazards within your community, which you could hear about from local broadcasts.
Stay out of any building if flood waters remain around the building. Flood waters often undermine foundations, causing sinking, floors can crack or break and buildings can collapse.
Avoid entering ANY building (home, business, or other) before local officials have said it is safe to do so. Buildings may have hidden damage that makes them unsafe. Gas leaks or electric or waterline damage can create additional problems.
Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury. Check with your utility company now about where broken lines should be reported.
Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas can cause fires.
When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Watch carefully every step you take.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
- Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building.
- Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
- Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage. Cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable.
- Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Flammable or explosive materials may travel from upstream. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods.
- Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
- Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.
- Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
- Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
After returning home:
- Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections.
- If water is of questionable purity, boil and distill drinking water before using. Wells inundated by flood waters should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local public health authority. Ill health effects often occur when people drink water contaminated with bacteria and germs.
- Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.

Residents in homes without power should also be aware of the following safety tips:

Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting.
Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to yourr home's electrical system.
Listen to local radio and television for updated information.

Updated 1/13/2009: Getting Help from the Red Cross

Red Cross Service Centers:

The list of available Red Cross shelters may be subject to closings. As we receive new information, we will update any additional closings or openings. Please contact your local Red Cross chapter listed below for operational hours:

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. Most Red Cross service centers are open 24 hours.

King County - Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Avenue NE, Renton; King County Red Cross: (206) 323-2345

Lewis County - Westminster Presbyterian Church, 349 North Market Blvd, Chehalis; Centralia LDS Church, 2801 Mount Vista, Centralia; Lewis County Red Cross: (360) 748-4607

Skagit County - St. Catherine Catholic Mission Rec. Center, 45603 Limestone St., Concrete. Assembly of God, 59831 State Route 20, Marblemount. Skagit County Red Cross: (360)424-5291

Snohomish County - Rock Church, 16891 146th Street SE, Monroe; Snohomish County Red Cross: (425) 252-4103

Whatcom County - Rome Grange, 2821 E. Sunset Dr., Bellingham; Whatcom New Life Assembly, 2290 Main Street, Ferndale (360) 384-4101. Whatcom County Red Cross: (360) 733-3290

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.

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.

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:

Don't forget that scam artists often take advantage of disaster situations by soliciting donations for a bogus charity.


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Maria's Monday Memo To sign up for Maria's weekly newsletter, enter your email address: Search The Site	Constituent Services Helping Washingtonians Recover from Flood and Storm Damage (Last Updated: Jan. 13, 2009) In the wake of the devastating storms that passed through Western Washington, thousands of residents have had their daily lives completely disrupted. 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 in a timely matter. I would also like to commend all of the local leaders who have done a tremendous job helping the people affected by this flooding. 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 offices in Vancouver at (360) 696-7838 or Seattle at (206) 220-6400 or via the web at http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/office_locations.cfm if I can provide any additional assistance. Quick Safety Tips for the Aftermath of Floods and Storms Get Help from the Red Cross Avoid Storm-Related Scams Help for Small Business Owners Donating to Charities to Help Storm Victims Update Jan. 13, 2009 The Washington State Department of Health has issued a biold water advisory for the following: Residents of South Bend, the Parpala Road area of Naselle in Pacific County; Residents of Morton and Pe Ell in Lewis County; Residents near Port Angeles served byu the Crescent Water Association in Clallam County; Resients of Water District #5 in Kittitas County; Residents of Hart Creek Summer Homes in Yakima County; Residents of Acme along Turkington Road in Whatcom County; Residents of the City of Snohomish in Snohomish County; Residents of Kalama in Cowlitz County; Resients near Centralia served by Transalta Centralia Generation in Thurston and Lewis Counties; Residents of Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park in Maple Valley in King County Reporting Damage: King County - To report uninsured losses, a King County Emergency Services hotline is available at (800) 523-5044. Individuals with damage to report should contact their own insurance company first. The hotline will be open Tuesday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The county will report estimated losses to the state to seek an emergency declaration for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some uninsured losses might be compensated by FEMA. Anyone suffering damage should document it with photographs and a written description. Snohomish County - Damange reports may be filed by calling the county's Department of Emergency Management office at (425) 388-5060 or by filing out and returning a damage assessment form found at http://www.snoco.org/departments/emergency_management. Helpful Websites: www.fema.gov - Official site for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Provides planning advice for a variety of types of disasters, a citizen guide to preparedness, information on how to identify possible hazards or emergencies, and a link to review maps in your area. www.ready.gov - Provides information for the general public on how to make an emergency supply kit, create a family emergency plan and stay informed during a disaster. Also provides a link for business owners and an interactive link for kids to learn about emergency preparedness. www.floodsmart.gov - Official site of the National Flood Insurance Program. Provides flood awareness information, including how to assess your flood risk, advice for preparation and recovery, and descriptions of flood insurance policies. www.nafsma.org - Website for the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies: an organization of public agencies whose function is the protection of lives, propoerty, and economic activity from the adverse impacts of storm and floodwaters. www.floods.org - Website for the Association of State Floodplain Managers: an organization of professionals involved in a floodplain management, flood hazard mitigration, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery. Quick Safety Tips in Aftermath of Floods and Storms Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention. Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations. Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards. Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or television stations and return home only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so. Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede; there may be flood-related hazards within your community, which you could hear about from local broadcasts. Stay out of any building if flood waters remain around the building. Flood waters often undermine foundations, causing sinking, floors can crack or break and buildings can collapse. Avoid entering ANY building (home, business, or other) before local officials have said it is safe to do so. Buildings may have hidden damage that makes them unsafe. Gas leaks or electric or waterline damage can create additional problems. Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury. Check with your utility company now about where broken lines should be reported. Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas can cause fires. When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Watch carefully every step you take. Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet. Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building. Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing. Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage. Cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable. Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Flammable or explosive materials may travel from upstream. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods. Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service. Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes. Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims. After returning home: Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections. If water is of questionable purity, boil and distill drinking water before using. Wells inundated by flood waters should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local public health authority. Ill health effects often occur when people drink water contaminated with bacteria and germs. Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse. Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards. Residents in homes without power should also be aware of the following safety tips: Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out. Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. Do not run a generator inside a home or garage. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to yourr home's electrical system. Listen to local radio and television for updated information. Updated 1/13/2009: Getting Help from the Red Cross Red Cross Service Centers: The list of available Red Cross shelters may be subject to closings. As we receive new information, we will update any additional closings or openings. Please contact your local Red Cross chapter listed below for operational hours: 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. Most Red Cross service centers are open 24 hours. King County - Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Avenue NE, Renton; King County Red Cross: (206) 323-2345 Lewis County - Westminster Presbyterian Church, 349 North Market Blvd, Chehalis; Centralia LDS Church, 2801 Mount Vista, Centralia; Lewis County Red Cross: (360) 748-4607 Skagit County - St. Catherine Catholic Mission Rec. Center, 45603 Limestone St., Concrete. Assembly of God, 59831 State Route 20, Marblemount. Skagit County Red Cross: (360)424-5291 Snohomish County - Rock Church, 16891 146th Street SE, Monroe; Snohomish County Red Cross: (425) 252-4103 Whatcom County - Rome Grange, 2821 E. Sunset Dr., Bellingham; Whatcom New Life Assembly, 2290 Main Street, Ferndale (360) 384-4101. Whatcom County Red Cross: (360) 733-3290 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. 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. 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: Red Cross Pacific Northwest flood relief United Way of Grays Harbor County United Way of Lewis County United Way of Kitsap County United Way of Mason County United Way of Thurston County Don't forget that 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.
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