Flood damage data sought

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Emergency Management is collecting information on the economic and structural impact to homes and businesses as result of ongoing flooding and mudslides.

The Preliminary Damage Assessment process helps identify the overall impact to the community. It does not guarantee any types of assistance, but it will be used to review all opportunities for assistance The damage assessment form can be downloaded from the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (www.ioem.idaho.gov). The form has fields to be filled in for particular forms of damage and including photos is encouraged.

Damage assessment forms, including any attached photos, are due by Tuesday, April 11. Completed forms can be emailed to pfinley@bonnercountyid.gov. The can also be mailed to Bonner County Emergency Management, 1500 U.S. Highway 2, Suite 101, Sandpoint, ID, 83864.

Bonner County was added to a state disaster declaration signed by Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter on March 17 in response to mudslides and flooding throughout the county. Nine Idaho counties are now part of this state declaration: Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis and Idaho counties.

A mudslide badly damaged a home on Talache Beach last month and sustained rains caused a number of road washouts across Bonner County.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.