Susan
Wood, swood@tahoedailytribune.com
Jim Grant / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Public agencies, homeowners and businesses may have
sustained $9 million in damage or measurable economic losses as a result of the
New Year's holiday storms, El Dorado County reported Tuesday.
But now there is a place to go for some relief. The state declared the county a
disaster area from the weather event. It is collecting information from
residents and businesses that have a case for economic relief. They're asked to
go to the county Web site at www.edso.org.
"It's almost like we're paying the price (of living in paradise),"
Scott Shehadi said. The floor of his wife's South Shore business, Shannon's Day
Spa, was under 3 inches of water on Dec. 31. Shannon Shehadi had Alpine Carpet
replace the carpet for $2,300.
Adding to the cost, the tourist-oriented business was closed from Saturday
through Tuesday during one of the busiest times of the year.
Jaymee Willison had a similar issue, when the floodwater clogged a drain at her
two rental cabins on Herbert Avenue.
"(The renters) moved out pretty quickly," she
said.
The county wants to use the information received from businesses and residents
to file for a federal declaration. If granted, the county will establish sites
to assist Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives. The designation
will free up low-interest loans for property owners.
Sheriff's Lt. Marty Hackett of El Dorado County Office of Emergency Services
told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday the county has estimated it received
$4.5 million in damage to its public facilities and infrastructure from the
storms. He also figured damage to businesses and property owners may have
exceeded $4 million as well.
The storms knocked out power to more than 9,500 customers, caused flooding in
many low-lying areas, and knocked over trees and power poles throughout the Lake
Tahoe Basin.
Chevy's Fresh Mex restaurant manager Tina Rodriquez said she'll approach her
corporate office on corresponding with the county. The South Shore restaurant
was forced to close over the holiday on New Year's Eve because it also took in 3
inches of water on the floor. Insurance picked up the cost of the cleanup, but
like Shannon's, the eatery could be eligible for economic losses from having to
close on a busy holiday weekend.
The effects spanned from one end of the South Shore to the other. The Chart
House on Kingsbury Grade lost a reported 600 diners on its busiest night of the
year. The Beacon Bar and Grill had no power for more than a day.
South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Duane Wallace said Tuesday the FEMA response from the 1997 New Year's floods was
disappointing in terms of handling the losses.
The county has also received a declaration for disaster relief from the federal
and state governments following the 1992 Cleveland fire and the severe
springtime flooding of 1986 - an El Niño year.
If granted, claims could be based on debris, water and mud carried through
homes, trees falling on properties and even economic losses from prolonged power
outages and diverted traffic from Interstate 80 sending more traffic through
South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50.
Federal funding from claims would make up for any gaps in repairs that private
insurance does not cover. Fromarc Insurance's Tita Anderson of South Lake Tahoe
said she's seen a number of claims come through in the last few weeks. She
assured policyholders that insurance companies don't traditionally penalize
filers for such a known, widespread event.
The state declaration only provides funding for government entities. El Dorado
County plans to recover losses from the additional resources.
At a special meeting Tuesday, the South Lake Tahoe City Council also approved
its own disaster relief proclamation to add support to the county's case.
Reporting damage
Did you sustain storm damage or economic loss on Dec. 31? If yes, then provide
details to www.edso.org or
receive information at (530) 621-5866. Please list:
-- Name, address and daytime contact phone number.
-- Description of the damaged property, including: street address, what was
damaged, cost to repair and lost sales due to i.e. extended power outage.
Source: El Dorado County Office of Emergency Services
