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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho declares disaster for windstorm damage repairs

BOISE – Acting Idaho Gov. Brad Little declared an emergency for Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties on Monday morning in the wake of the disastrous Nov. 17 windstorm, paving the way for federal and state funds to help cover part of the cost of restoring damaged utilities.

“I know in those four counties and Spokane, it was brutal, it was really brutal,” said Little, who, as lieutenant governor, has been filling in for Gov. Butch Otter while Otter was attending a Western Governors Association meeting and the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. Otter returned midday Monday.

“This falls into the category of a disaster where the state needs to pay our share of the cost,” Little said.

The disaster declaration authorizes the federal and state emergency funds to be tapped to help offset $2.6 million worth of damage. High winds destroyed power lines and left tens of thousands of North Idaho residents without power for days.

“The federal funds will help eliminate the potential financial burden on taxpayers and power users,” Little said.

He noted that crews from multiple states and Canada worked around the clock to help local power teams. Much of the aid will go to reimburse those costs to restore power.

Little said the federal aid will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which generally covers about 75 percent of the costs, though “this is all negotiable.” The state generally kicks in about 15 percent, and counties cover the rest.

Asked why the declaration didn’t come sooner, Little said the state was waiting for the requests from all four counties and the tallies of costs from utilities; some figures still are coming in.

FEMA officials will visit the region as part of providing the aid, Little said.