Disaster Office To Process Ice Storm Claims

The federal government will set up a Spokane field office next week to help process requests for money to deal with damage from November’s ice storm.

President Clinton on Tuesday approved federal disaster relief money for Spokane, Pend Oreille and Klickitat counties.

But don’t expect a check to replace the Ponderosa pine that snapped under the weight of the ice. Or the bedroom that was crushed by the pine. Or the brass bed that was in the bedroom.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency isn’t giving money to homeowners or businesses, although Spokane city and county officials hope some low-interest disaster relief loans eventually will be available.

“We need to not generate false hopes that private residences will get money,” Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris said Wednesday.

Local governments can apply for up to 75 percent of the cost of restoring “essential public facilities.” That might include overtime paid to crews that cleared roads where residents were trapped, for instance.

Exactly how much money comes to Washington will depend on the claims that are filed, and how many are accepted by FEMA.

It could take months to sort out everything - especially since FEMA and local officials are likely to disagree over many claims.

The FEMA money isn’t supposed to be used for clearing branches or replacing trees. But it can be used for preventing future disasters.

Harris and Acting Spokane City Manager Bill Pupo said they may argue that FEMA should help replace trees in parks and golf courses since they’re essential to preventing future floods.

And Sheriff John Goldman said the county might argue that clearing fallen branches is critical for preventing wildfires.

“It (the debris) adds fuel with the fire season just months away,” he said.

Spokane officials said they don’t yet know exactly where or when the FEMA office will open. It will be run by officials from FEMA’s regional office in Bothell, Wash.

Until the field office opens, city and county officials are referring questions about disaster relief to the city/county department of emergency management, at 456-2204.

, DataTimes