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

Flood-damaged homes and businesses in Spokane County could qualify for emergency funding

An evening commuter hits a large street puddle at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and Atlantic Street after over an inch of rain fell Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, in Spokane, Wash. The recent windstorm left many storm drains clogged with debris, which caused widespread street flooding around town. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)

Spokane County officials are asking businesses, renters and homeowners to report any property damage caused by late-winter flooding.

They’re trying to determine whether the county meets cost thresholds to apply for state and federal emergency funding.

Gerry Bozarth, a disaster recovery specialist with Greater Spokane Emergency Management, said the county must show roughly $1.7 million in damage to public infrastructure to get funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

County officials previously estimated that flooding from melting snow and rain had caused nearly $1 million in damage to roads, ditches and culverts.

Separate application processes could net disaster funding for individuals and businesses, including low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bozarth said.

“That’s a possibility, but at the moment there’s absolutely no guarantee that we would qualify for that kind of assistance,” he said. “That’s why we’re gathering this information right now.”

Businesses, renters and homeowners are asked to check their insurance policies and fill out damage-assessment forms available at gsem.us.