Washington State to Evaluate January Severe Weather Event Economic Impacts for Disaster Fund Eligibility
Washington State Emergency Management Department is seeking damage information from businesses related to the January severe weather event with the intent of seeking an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration from the SBA. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are considered the primary source of funds for disaster recovery and can be made available without a Presidential declaration. In the absence of insurance coverage, the SBA Disaster Loan Program may offer low interest loans to qualifying businesses.
Any business impacted by flooding, ice storm (including burst pipe), landslides, mudslides, winds, etc. during the entire month of January 2024 are encouraged to submit damages. The Economic Injury Worksheet is to be filled out by the business and then sent directly to Hans Kahl, hkahl@co.skagit.wa.us. Deadline to submit is 4/26/2024.
The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Declaration requires at least 5 businesses statewide to have suffered substantial economic loss because of the event. Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. The SBA will analyze current revenues as compared to the exact same timeframe from the previous year to determine the extent of economic damage. Businesses must include expected insurance coverage, including business interruption insurance, in their reports.
2023 MID-CYCLE UPDATE
Skagit County is dedicated to involving the public directly in the review and updates of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The public will continue to be updated on progress made through the county’s website and annual progress reports. Comments regarding the plan may be submitted to DEM by emailing comments to: DEM@co.skagit.wa.us.
2020 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN The hazard mitigation plan identifies resources, information, and strategies for reducing risk from natural hazards. Elements and strategies in the plan were selected because they meet a program requirement and because they best meet the needs of the planning partners and their citizens. One of the benefits of multi-jurisdictional planning is the ability to pool resources and eliminate redundant activities within a planning area that has uniform risk exposure and vulnerabilities.
If property has damage from the most recent flood, please fill out the form below (available in English and Spanish) and submit to dem@co.skagit.wa.us. If you have questions, please contact the Skagit Department of Emergency Management at 360-416-1850
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
2911 E. College Way, Suite B
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-1850
email: dem@co.skagit.wa.us
River Level Hotline:
(360) 416-1404
Emergency: 911
Emergency Information Posters
Emergency Management seeks your feedback on new Emergency Information posters. Posters are listed below as well as links for your feedback. This information will help the educate the public on different emergency situations and plans.
Register here to receive emergency alerts and notifications in your area through the CodeRed Emergency Notification System. This system is a great way to receive local, timely and critical information when it matters most.
It should be noted that not all notifications you may receive via CodeRed originate from the County’s Department of Emergency Management, so the County cannot be held accountable for the content or accuracy of all messages.
This notification system, in conjunction with on-line resources such as Skagit County's Facebook page, Twitter feed, the Skagit County website and local media outlets, will be the best way to stay informed during hazard and emergency situations. You can chose to be notified on your home or cell phone, text messaging or email.
Tsunami Evacuation Walk Time Maps Published
The Washington Geological Survey (WGS) has published tsunami evacuation walk time maps for the City of Anacortes and the Samish/Bow/Edison areas of unincorporated Skagit County. The maps show the amount of time it would take to evacuate from within the modeled inundation zone of a Cascadia-sourced subduction zone earthquake. The maps show the extent of the tsunami inundation zone and the paths of tsunami evacuation routes. Colors indicate how many minutes it would take to get to safety from any given location within the inundation zone.
The walk time maps can be downloaded using the following link:
The interactive map also provides access to tsunami evacuation brochures for areas that do not have walk time maps yet.
BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES Catastrophes
can happen at any time. Preparing for three days will help you make
it through many of the disasters you’ll face in the Puget Sound
region—including major storms and even small earthquakes.
However, to make
it through a major catastrophe—like Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake
and tsunami in Japan—you’ll need to be prepared for longer—at
least 7 to 10 days.
Local agencies across
Puget Sound are teaming up to share information and encourage residents
to prepare for catastrophic events with a regional campaign, What
to do to make it through.
To provide the emergency organization and coordination of resources
to minimize loss of life and to protect property and the environment
in the event of natural, human-caused, or technological emergencies
or disasters affecting Skagit County.
The Skagit County
Department of Emergency Management (DEM) provides emergency management
services to Anacortes, Burlington, Concrete, Hamilton, La Conner, Lyman,
Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and the unincorporated areas of Skagit County.
Julie de Losada
Chief of Emergency Management
To Be Announced
Emergency Management Coordinator
Brian Geer
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Supervisor
