Rathdrum Denied Storm Damage Aid

The thunderstorm that uprooted much of Rathdrum six weeks ago didn’t cause enough damage to qualify homeowners for federal help, Kootenai County officials learned Thursday.

“I don’t know if there are any other options,” said Sandy Von Behren of the county’s disaster services department. “Uninsured or underinsured homeowners are probably out of luck.”

The county sought help from the Small Business Administration after the storm caused more than $1 million in damage. County officials estimated nearly $900,000 of the damages was uninsured.

The SBA grants low-interest loans to homeowners to help recover the uninsured losses from disaster. The loan program kicks in when insurance fails to cover 40 percent of the damage at each of at least 25 homes in an area.

SBA personnel surveyed 135 Kootenai County homes, but found only four that met the criteria.

“We had a lot of minor damage,” Von Behren said. “It’s a real shame. Most people took care of themselves. But there’s at least one home that needs to be replaced and now no one gets the low-interest loans.”

She suggested homeowners with agricultural losses call the County Emergency Board, 664-0018.

, DataTimes