FEMA aid nixed, La Conner seeks other flood relief funding

Few in La Conner can remember saltwater flooding as severe as Dec. 27’s, causing nearly $2 million in damages and directly impacting two dozen residences and six businesses.

Yet it was not dire enough to merit a formal Federal Emergency Management Agency declaration of emergency.

And that means federal reimbursement will not be made available to those in La Conner and elsewhere in Skagit County who suffered flood damage caused by a “perfect storm” of events – seasonal king tides, low atmospheric pressure and strong westerly winds.

Unfortunately for those affected here, it is rare for individuals to meet FEMA’s threshold for monetary compensation, according to Skagit County Chief of Emergency Management Bob Dolhanyk. He said that threshold is determined by a variety of community factors, among them availability of resources and population.

The county had been successful in qualifying for FEMA assistance following flooding in November 2021 that racked up around $15 million in damages.

There was no such luck this time around.

Skagit County officials had gathered information from La Conner and other local areas in a bid for FEMA aid to again assist in flood recovery, Town Administrator Scott Thomas told the Weekly News.

“Skagit County asked us to collect information, which we did and provided to them,” Thomas said. “That was the extent of our role in seeking a federal declaration. I understand that they were trying to aggregate damages from several counties.”

Total county flood damage on Dec. 27 was just over $2.5 million, meaning La Conner took the brunt of Mother Nature’s fury. Water gushed from Swinomish Channel to the town’s low spots, rapidly filling lawns, basements, garages and in some cases the main floors of homes and businesses.

“We were very disappointed,” Thomas said of FEMA’s decision. “I spoke to several residents during and after the December flood who described to me the losses that they had suffered and how difficult it would be for them to recover.”

All is not lost, however.

The Town’s lobbying efforts for flood relief at the state level have been well-received and Thomas said the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) is helping local businesses with a state grant program for businesses that suffered flood losses.

For homeowners, another avenue might be opened as well.

“The state housing finance commission still has money to address housing issues caused by the pandemic,” Thomas added, “but I am unaware of other resources.”

In the wake of the winter flooding, the Town is in the process of establishing a new five-member Emergency Management Commission and is committed to a long-range flood control plan.

Town representatives recently visited with District 10 lawmakers in Olympia to discuss flood management and public safety issues.

“It was great to meet with Mayor (Ramon) Hayes and other town officials from La Conner,” said State Rep. Dave Paul.

Paul said that in addition to topics related to flooding and sea level rise, he and the La Conner delegation addressed several other areas of community interest.

“We spoke specifically about SB 5361 – incentivizing cities and counties to increase employment of commissioned law enforcement officers,” said Paul. “We discussed options for allowing La Conner and other communities that contract for law enforcement services to utilize the additional sales tax revenue that would be available should the bill become law.”

Paul added that he has worked with Capital Budget staff to ensure that monies allocated to the Museum of Northwest Art in downtown La Conner during the pandemic will be carried over to the next budget.

“These funds,” he said, “will allow the museum to finish renovations to its roof and HVAC system.”