Feb. 12 deadline for filing claims for flood damage

Snohomish County residents who sustained November flood damage that's not covered by insurance are encouraged to file a federal claim within the next month.

A presidential federal emergency declaration was announced last month for the flooding between Nov. 2 and 11. Since then, about 1,500 people throughout the seven-county region affected have called the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance. More than 350 of those residents live or run businesses in Snohomish County.

FEMA is operating two Snohomish County disaster-recovery centers to assist people in filing for financial help related to flood losses — one in Granite Falls, the other in Monroe.

FEMA also recently opened a center in Baring, which although in King County can serve southeast Snohomish County residents.

The need for help has been higher in Snohomish County because flooding was worse here and more people live along the rivers, said Rob Harper, a spokesman for the state's Emergency Management Division.

"What we're finding is that counties are exceeding or matching our estimates for people needing help," Harper said. "We estimated more than 400 projected applications in Snohomish County, and with another month to go, it's very conceivable we'll exceed that number."

Residents have until Feb. 12 to file a claim.

Federal assistance varies and can include FEMA grant money for temporary housing and repairs as well as low-interest, small-business loans, said FEMA spokesman Mike McCormick.

Residents and business owners are asked to first file a claim by telephone or through the Internet, then visit a recovery center to further process the claim.

For farmers who suffered business losses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has programs that can help, McCormick said.

"We don't come with a set-aside pot of money," McCormick said. "All qualified individuals are assisted."

Once FEMA takes a claim, it sends inspectors to each damage site and determines if it can help and how much it will cover. Residents and owners are then told of their options. It can take several weeks to process a claim, but typically housing help is done quickly, said FEMA spokesman Cleo Howell.

"We know there is plenty of rental property available, so if people still need that help, or if they found a rental themselves, we can help them with the costs," he said. "We encourage everyone to make a claim, regardless of how small they think it might be."

Since recovery centers opened across the Puget Sound region, FEMA has offered more than $2.5 million in assistance to residents.

Christopher Schwarzen: 425-783-0577 or cschwarzen@seattletimes.com