Federal relief on the way

'Maximum amount' of aid coming, officials say

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Disaster relief is already filtering out to homeowners and businesses in what federal emergency officials vowed Tuesday would be a timely and thorough response to victims of the Feb. 28 earthquake.

"We're committed to providing the maximum amount of relief allowed by federal law," said Bill Lokey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency coordinating officer for the earthquake response.

Some 2,750 individuals and businesses already have applied for relief from the 6.8 magnitude earthquake.

The number, which could grow to 6,000, includes 391 individuals and 54 businesses in Thurston County.

About $500,000 in emergency housing aid has been distributed so far and low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration to qualifying businesses will start heading out in the mail later this week, officials said.

The first unofficial tally of earthquake damage should be available by the end of the week, said Tammy Doherty, FEMA regional director.

The $2 billion estimate widely reported so far is based on a computer model of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in South Puget Sound, noted Rob Harper, a state emergency management spokesperson.

Initial reports of state, county and city road damage total some $120 million.

Doherty predicted that homeowners have yet to discover all the damage unleashed by the powerful earthquake.

Gov. Gary Locke visited FEMA emergency headquarters in the Westfield Shoppingtown Capital Mall, signing a contract to secure the federal relief.

The former Lamonts store has been transformed into a beehive of makeshift desks, tables and computers for some 300 federal and state employees.

"Today we're taking an important first step in rebuilding our state," Locke said.

"We'll be working a long time on this, rebuilding to make the state more disaster resistant," Doherty echoed.

Some 47 FEMA and Small Business Administration inspectors are out in the field, verifying damage reports in eight Western Washington counties: Thurston, Mason, Pierce, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Snohomish. The last two were added to the list Tuesday.

Here's a look at the type of aid available for those who qualify:

-3.5 percent homeowner loans for up to $200,000 damage to homes and other structures.

-3.5 percent homeowner and renter loans for up $40,000 in personal property damage.

-4 percent business loans not to exceed $1.5 million.

-Federal grants to cover up to 75 percent of the cost of repairing state buildings and 90 percent of the cost of federal and state highways.

-Federal grants to cities and counties to cover 80 percent of earthquake damages.

Lokey said the Bush administration has not set a limit yet on how much disaster relief will be made available for earthquake victims.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian. He can be reached at 754-5444.

On the web

Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov

Earthquake Information Clearinghouse www.access.wa.gov/

Governor Gary Locke www.governor.wa.gov

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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