Pend Oreille Flood Hot Line Open

Operators are standing by to take Pend Oreille County residents’ flood damage reports.

Sounding a bit like an anxious telethon host, Emergency Services Director JoAnn Boggs said state officials will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday to take flood calls.

She urged anyone with flood damage to call as soon as possible, even if they still don’t know exactly how much damage they have.

The preliminary reports will help determine whether federal disaster assistance is offered.

So far, only about 50 reports have been received, “and I know there’s a lot more damage out there than that,” Boggs said.

The number to call is (509) 447-3731.