Snohomish County has been mobilizing efforts to support residents affected by the catastrophic November bomb cyclone windstorm. Since the disaster, localized strategies have focused on damage assessment and resource identification to aid in recovery. Starting today, according to Snohomish County's announcement, those who suffered uninsured losses can engage with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience to explore avenues for obtaining low-interest loans.
Now, with damages from the storm reportedly exceeding $5.5 million in private properties alone, the county is bringing additional support to the table. "The SBA loans might be able to help with those losses," Lucia Schmit, the Snohomish County’s Emergency Management director, stated. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center established at the fairgrounds is not just a hub for information, but a beacon of hope, aiming to rebuild lives and properties shaken by the natural calamity. Schmit revealed, through a local government release, the breadth of unmet needs, "Unfortunately, the majority of those damages are not eligible for state or federal relief funds, whether they were to property other than a primary residence or because the owner had home insurance, which is a good thing."
Located at the VIP Cabin of Evergreen State Fair Park in Monroe, the outreach center is accessible on weekdays until January 31. County staff, alongside FEMA and Washington State Emergency Management Division partners, meticulously reviewed storm damages, only to ascertain the limited scope of eligibility for state support. The SBA's offering of loans up to $500,000 for property repairs and $100,000 for personal property, as detailed by Snohomish County's report, opens new doors for the affected majority.
Within the framework of these loans, a unique opportunity also exists for upgrade endeavors. Borrowers could be eligible for an additional 20% on top of their physical damage loan for improvements to safeguard against future incidents. As further elaborated by officials, "A home or business owner, may also be eligible for a loan increase up to 20% of their physical damage amount to harden their home or business against future damage." These loans become especially vital given the infrastructure toll reported at over $18 million, a figure which includes damages to public properties such as powerlines and roads, as per Snohomish County's official release.
For those impacted and keen to rebuild, information such as damages location, contact and insurance details, Social Security numbers, and for renters, lease agreements, are necessary for the loan application process. The SBA encourages residents and businesses to leverage the online application portal at SBA.gov/disaster or reach their Customer Service Center for further assistance. The inclusive approach also continues with available telecommunications relay services for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled, enabling a comprehensive support structure post-disaster.
