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Three Counties Added to Washington Public Assistance Disaster Declaration for Windstorm

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended federal disaster aid under the Public Assistance program to three additional Washington counties affected by the Aug. 29, 2015, severe windstorm.

Eligible applicants in Clallam, Grays Harbor and Whatcom counties may now apply for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) supplementary reimbursement for the costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, utilities, parks and recreational facilities and other public as well as some private facilities.

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and eligible agencies, tribal governments, local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the remaining 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local and tribal governments or organizations that incurred costs.

In the original October 15 declaration, Island, Jefferson and Snohomish counties were designated for FEMA Public Assistance funding as a result of the windstorm.

For more information on Washington disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4242. FEMA Region 10 is also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/femaregion10 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Three Counties Added to Washington Public Assistance Disaster Declaration for Windstorm

After the SR 530 slide: long-term recovery in the Evergreen state

A visit to hurricane-battered Louisiana inspired prompt digital planning after the SR 530 Slide that will sustain communications needs for the long haul.

EVERETT, Wash. – A visit to hurricane-battered Louisiana in October 2013 gave seven members of the state of Washington’s Coalition of Recovery Planners a first-hand look at extensive long-term recovery projects taking place. At the time, at least one member of the tour group, Snohomish County Planning and Development Services Director Clay White, had no idea how quickly he would need to tap into his newly acquired knowledge. Then, the State Route 530 Slide happened in Oso. Everett, Wash. — June 10, 2014 – Members of the Snohomish County Planning and Development Services, Planning and Technology Division, discuss their part in a larger public outreach and communications effort accomplished by Snohomish County officials after the SR 530 Slide. Immediately after the slide, Office Supervisor Lori Lollis, (left); Planner Eileen Canola, (middle) and Associate Planner Christina Ghan (right) quickly set to work organizing digital communications for Planning and Development Services that will help support long-term recovery. Photo courtesy of Snohomish County Planning and Development Services

“When I went to Louisiana, I never knew I would need this information,” White said, “but then, a few months later, the SR 530 Slide happened.”

Rather than responding by going directly to the site of the slide, White gathered staff with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services at their office in Everett. Among other things, they started organizing a digital information portal to help streamline digital communications for Planning and Development Services needs.

Within four days after the slide, the team established a Web page on the Snohomish County site that addressed the influx of public records inquiries they were receiving while filing digital information in one spot that would provide access to the public for the long term.

The informational Web page includes maps showing where building permits were issued in relation to the slide, as well as key facts and important dates that will remain available to the public in the future. The Web page is just one piece in the digital communications efforts accomplished by many groups and officials with Snohomish County after the SR 530 Slide.

“The building and land use documents that we gathered and posted provide a glimpse into historical decisions and processes that can help inform future policy decisions,” said Planner Eileen Canola.

The team’s digital communications planning was just one example of how long-term recovery has been a priority – even since the very first hours after the slide. The team also worked together to create an organizational chart related to responsibilities for assignments. They made sure departmental responsibilities were covered and then started assigning tasks. Together, they developed a strategy for going forward.

“Looking back, I think the training Clay received in St. John the Baptist Parish during his visit to Louisiana really helped,” said Barb Mock, a division manager with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. “First, immediately after the slide, he remained calm, called a select team to a conference room and, even though we had numerous meetings that day, he added one first thing in the morning, one at lunch, and one at the end of the day. He had learned that communications and chain of command and roles and responsibilities are important.”

The trip to Louisiana was a collaborative effort between the state of Washington; the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Disaster Recovery Support (NDRS) group; the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development; and representatives from St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne parishes.

During the tour, seven emergency managers from Washington listened in on long-term recovery teams as they collaborated and discussed funding proposals and other important planning aspects.

“To see officials working together so well allowed us to see how the community had faced adversity and how they could come out on the other side,” White said.

White and the others who visited Louisiana long-term recovery groups soon realized that, while long-term recovery begins immediately after a disaster, the process continues for years to come.

“While dealing with today, focus on what you’re going to be doing in a few months,” White said. “The visit to Louisiana helped me understand how the long-term response is just as important as the initial response. There is a need to think ahead, to prioritize the recovery. There is recovery, and then there is something called long-term recovery.”

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After the SR 530 slide: long-term recovery in the Evergreen state

75 Days after the SR 530 Slide: 10 Stories of Recovery

It has been 75 days since the SR 530 slide took the lives of dozens and left thousands without access to their normal routes traveled for work, medical purposes and other critical life necessities. As recovery continues, here is a look back at 10 stories about the work of tireless emergency workers, volunteers and community organizers.

$1.7 million	Almost $1.7 million in state and federal disaster assistance funding has been approved for individuals and families who were affected by the SR 530 slide.	(Photo by Marybeth O’Leary/FEMA)
$1.2 million	The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance has approved approximately $1.2 million in low-interest disaster loans. SBA provides disaster loans for qualifying homeowners, renters, business owners and private nonprofits throughout the disaster area.	(Photo courtesy of the U.S. Small Business Administration)
$10 million	So far, FEMA has approved more than $10 million to help state, local and tribal communities cover costs such as emergency response operations and removing debris to help communities recover from the SR 530 slide. More funding is forthcoming as the state and FEMA continue reviewing requests.	(Photo by Chelsea Kneeland/FEMA Corps)
$7 million	A total of more than $7 million in donations from across the U.S. was received by three nonprofit organizations: American Red Cross, United Way and the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation, which is based in Arlington, Wash.	(Courtesy of American Red Cross)
80 People served by Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe	On April 24, the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe hosted a traditionally prepared salmon dinner for 80 people who were involved in the SR 530 slide response and recovery. Attendees included residents of Darrington, first responders and volunteers, as well as representatives with Snohomish County and FEMA.	(Photo by Timara Timmens/FEMA)
600 National Guard soldiers	Nearly 600 National Guard soldiers were deployed to assist with the response efforts at the site of the SR 530 slide. Washington National Guard members sorted donations at a Joint Resource Center and managed other critical needs.	(Photo by Marybeth O’Leary/FEMA)
37,000 meals	Nearly 37,000 meals have been provided by volunteers. Among them were American Red Cross members who provided more than 29,000 meals and snacks; the Soup Ladies who served 6,655 hot, homemade meals to disaster relief crew members at the site of the SR 530 Slide; and a group of students from Darrington who made more than 1,300 sandwiches for the first responders.	(Courtesy of The Soup Ladies)
150 Oso Strong Flags	The Oso Proud Oso Strong Flag Fundraiser sold 150 flags, 38 of which have been donated to local businesses and community members of Oso. The proceeds go to the communities affected. So far, $750 has been raised.	(Courtesy of Oso Proud Oso Strong Fundraiser)
29 local voluntary organizations	Approximately 29 local voluntary organizations have provided assistance, including firefighters from the Oso Fire Department and members of the Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 7.	(Photo by Marybeth O’Leary/FEMA)
45 Search and Rescue Dogs	More than 45 search and rescue canines were active in the response to the SR 530 slide.	(Photo by Marty Bahamonde/FEMA)

Help is still available. Those directly impacted by the SR 530 slide may call a help line operated by the state of Washington. The number is (800) 688-3469. Hours of operation for the help line are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.

SR 530 slide survivors can also continue to speak directly with FEMA representatives by calling the FEMA help line. The number is (800) 621-FEMA (3362). 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) is available through this number. Survivors who use TTY, may call (800) 462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, seven days a week.

For more information, click: www.emd.wa.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4168.

Additional information and links to multiagency resources can also be found on the Snohomish County website, http://snohomishcountywa.gov/2354/530-Slide.

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75 Days after the SR 530 Slide: 10 Stories of Recovery

We’re listening: saying thank you, a source of healing

EVERETT, Wash. – Members of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe said “thank you” to first responders and emergency workers on April 24 by preparing a traditional meal of salmon, which is one of the most vital economic, cultural and historic elements of the communities that were directly impacted by the slide.Snohomish County, Wash., April 24, 2014 — The Sauk-Suiattle Tribe hosted a traditionally prepared salmon dinner for 80 people who were involved in the SR 530 Slide response and recovery. Attendees included residents of Darrington, first responders and volunteers, as well as representatives from Snohomish County and FEMA. (Photo by Timara Timmens)

The salmon dinner acknowledged the recovery work – much of which continues – of the National Guard, Darrington firefighters and the Bellingham Incident Management Team. The salmon was cooked outdoors, according to tradition, on the Sauk-Suiattle reservation.

As recovery continues, help is still available.

To see information and links to multiagency resources on the Snohomish County website, click: http://snohomishcountywa.gov/2354/530-Slide.

Those directly impacted by the SR 530 Slide may call a help line operated by the state of Washington. The number is (800) 688-3469. Hours of operation for the help line are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. For more information, click: www.emd.wa.gov.

SR 530 Slide survivor can also continue to speak directly with FEMA representatives by calling the FEMA help line. The number is (800) 621-FEMA (3362). 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) is available through this number. Survivors who use TTY, may call (800) 462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, seven days a week. For more FEMA information, click: www.fema.gov/disaster/4168.

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We’re listening: saying thank you, a source of healing

We’re listening: SR 530 slide memorial song a source of healing

EVERETT, Wash. – Girls who lost friends in the SR 530 slide sang out their feelings in a song they wrote with the help of Grammy-winning musician Star Nayea and Sauk-Suiattle elder Mary Jack, enrolled at Tulalip.

The girls represented the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, Tulalip tribes and the town of Darrington at a community meeting in Darrington on April 3 – by singing their song “Oso Strong, Highway 530.”

“This song is from the girls’ hearts. They lost friends in the slide. It’s been a difficult time,” elder Jack said. “Oso Strong Highway 530” has helped the girls in so many ways. Maybe the song will help the community start to heal, too.”

The lyrics express sadness, ask “why?” and promise to never forget any of communities along SR 530 –from Arlington to Darrington – while calling these communities together, to rise up, to be strong.

Personal traumatic experiences have given Nayea special understanding of the healing power of song.

“When you’re faced with tragedy that’s only 20 miles down the road from you, it’s unfathomable,” Nayea said. “There are no words to describe or capture the feeling it brings sharing this gift of healing power of music. It is a priceless gift and privilege, and honor of having an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”

Oso Strong Highway 530

Composed and performed by: Kaylee Frazee, Sarah Larson, Jordan Maltos, Malia Maltos, Raime McCord, Kyla Roundface, Natalie Stewart.
Produced and arranged by: Star Nayea

When life gets to be, too much.
When I fall away and lose touch…
There’s always a reason, a lesson to be learned

We ask the question why…
To know the answers may make us cry.
Can there be any good, to replace this pain.
Does the Creator have the master plan, to this game?

Oso strong, Darrington, Hazel too
Oso life, you and I, we’ll make it through

From the outside looking in,
You could never understand.
We all came together,
To lend a helping hand.

No picture will compare
Can’t imagine, how, or where…
So over whelming, how we feel inside
No words can explain, no answers why?

Oso strong Arlington, Skaglund Hill.
Oso life, Steelhead Drive we won’t forget you!
Oso bright, is the light…
We search to find!

Threads of our community are frayed.
We all must rise up, to pray!
Painful memories… may never fade.
Life will go on, starting today!

Oso Strong, Darrington, Sauk-Suiattle, too
Oso life, you and I, we’ll make it through.
Oso strong, Arlington, Skaglund Hill;
Oso life, Steelhead Drive, we won’t forget you.

Oso special, are the ones, left behind.
Oso bright, is the light, we search to find!

As recovery continues, help is still available.

To see information and links to multiagency resources on the Snohomish County website, click: SnohomishCountywa.gov/2354/530-Slide.

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We’re listening: SR 530 slide memorial song a source of healing

As Search Continues, Officials Move To Demobilize Some Assets

ARLINGTON, Wash. – As the search operation continues, the area where specialized canine search teams and Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces are seeking to recover SR530 Slide fatalities grows smaller. Considering the progress that has been accomplished, officials have made the decision to release California Task Force 7 (CA-TF7) as early as Monday, April 14, 2014. Washington Task Force 1 and search canines will remain onsite on the eastern side of the slide as the search continues.

As search and recovery is completed on the western side of the slide area, assets are being reassigned to augment efforts on the eastern side of the slide.

Engineering and construction of a temporary berm designed to support dewatering efforts from impacted areas on the eastern side continue to progress as planned. While pumping operations continue in the eastern area, search efforts will expand into these areas as well, according to Jason Bierman of the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management.

“With a Task Force preparing to transition, we want to ensure everyone that the intensity of the search is not being reduced,” said US&R Rescue Team Leader Rob Patterson. “We are continuing to work as hard as we can.”

Recent drier weather has also aided in the search efforts as crews continue to make progress and clear certain sections of terrain flooded by the slide.

CA-TF7, which has been based in Darrington, will have a partial contingent searching on the western side of the slide on Sunday April 13, 2014, as the remaining members of the team prepare their equipment for demobilization.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800 621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800 462-7585; for VRS call (800) 621-3362.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

The Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division is responsible for administering federal disaster recovery programs on behalf of the state. The Department’s mission is to minimize the impact of emergencies and disasters on people, property, environment, and the economy of Washington State; provide trained and ready forces for state and federal missions; and provide structured alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1(800)977-8339).

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As Search Continues, Officials Move To Demobilize Some Assets

President Declares Disaster for Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Washington to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by flooding and mudslides beginning on March 22, 2014, and continuing.

This assistance is in addition to the support provided under the Presidential Emergency Declaration granted on March 24, 2014.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Snohomish County, including the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work due to flooding and mudslides in Snohomish County, including the lands associated with the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Due to the localized impacts of the disaster, FEMA will work closely with residents, tribal members, and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area on a one on one basis.

Michael J. Hall has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hall said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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President Declares Disaster for Washington

Pay it Forward: Volunteers Make the Difference

Local Municipalities Learn ‘Secrets’ to Earning FEMA Matching Dollars

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Release Number: 4056-004

» More Information on Washington Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

LACEY, Wa — In the January 2009 flood, the small town of South Prairie in east Pierce County was inundated by mud. A local high school initiated an MLK Day service project for its students. Coordinating efforts with the mayor, nearly 75 kids showed up to be a ‘mud brigade,’ shoveling mud out of critically needed roadways, buildings, and the town’s only Fire Station driveway.

Volunteers are the lifeblood in any community-but more so in those communities struck by swirling floodwaters, damaging mudslides or landslides slamming over roadways, compounded by ice, heavy snow, and rain.

And minimizing damage in the midst of a devastating maelstrom such as was handed to Washington citizens in the January 2012 severe winter storms is where volunteers can do double duty. Not only are they working amidst disaster, they are also ‘paying it forward’ by offsetting some of the unanticipated and unbudgeted emergency costs swamping affected cities and counties.

The time citizens and volunteer groups spend sandbagging, clearing debris from clogged drains, taking and logging calls, staffing warming centers, and many other duties may be an “allowable reimbursement under the FEMA Public Assistance programs,” according to the state’s Emergency Management Division Public Assistance Program Manager Gary Urbas. “But volunteer efforts need to be organized and documented correctly. The sad thing is that many states throughout the country do not even apply for donated resources.”

At least two Washington counties, Pierce and Snohomish, found a bright spot in a declared disaster recovery process: the tracking and documenting of volunteer worker efforts, generally called ‘Donated Resources.’ This process has nearly reimbursed their share of matching funds required by FEMA Public Assistance Programs for declared disasters.

For South Prairie, according to Barbara Nelson, Pierce County’s neighborhood emergency team (PC-NET) liaison, “we sent the town forms for documenting the sign-in and sign-out of each of these kids. They collected permission slips from parents, and the County’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) was able to count those substantial volunteer hours toward reimbursement.”

This one volunteer effort brought nearly $11,000 to South Prairie. Pierce County’s volunteer efforts netted reimbursements totaling $29,000.

Once a presidential disaster declaration is issued and damages are documented, FEMA can provide up to a 75 percent cost reimbursement for eligible projects. State and local entities then must come up with a 25 percent shared cost match.

“Our contribution of donated resources allows us to meet our local match requirement and be eligible to receive additional funding to cover our emergency work costs,” said Veronica Hill, Pierce County’s DEM administrative program manager.

Snohomish County, hard hit by the winter storms in 2006, had already developed a County Disaster Assistance Program complete with disaster assistance employee job descriptions. By using sign-in/sign-out sheets and capturing detailed information, they were able to document these volunteer hours, assign a pay rate for each volunteer job, and submit a detailed claim. In doing so, Snohomish County was able to meet the County’s 12.5% match and received 75 percent of its claim for $42,700 in donated resources-adding about $32,000 into its general fund.

“We’ve approached the donated resources issue in a more institutionalized method,” according to John E. Pennington, Snohomish County’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) director. Staff developed this method of how to best track volunteer hours within its Disaster Assistance program by creating position descriptions and pay rates.

Since then, Snohomish County has emerged as a leader for programmatically implementing a Disaster Assistance Program according to Urbas, by codifying task responsibility and job descriptions. According to Diana Rose, DEM’s admin finance program manager, the county is also able to actually ‘hire’ temporary Disaster Assistance Employees to cover critical jobs during emergency situations, if needed, because the job description and pay rate already exists.

Yet still, in the heat of disaster, counties and cities often miss out on documenting many hours of disaster volunteer help because many jurisdictions haven’t approached volunteer management systemically and citizens don’t realize their efforts really do count.

For a complete listing of volunteer groups or to get additional information, contact Barbara Nelson, Pierce County Neighborhood Emergency Teams Liaison, Pierce county Citizen Corps, bnelso1@co.pierce.wa.us or 253 798-2168.

For additional information about Snohomish County’s donated resources program, contact Diana Rose at Diana.Rose@co.snohomish.wa.us or 425.388.5062.

For additional information about Pierce County’s donated resources program, contact Richard Schroedel, at rschroe@co.pierce.wa.us or 253.798.6596.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 25-Apr-2012 08:44:19

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Pay it Forward: Volunteers Make the Difference