Pierce County center open, taking information about storm damage

Editor's note: the following is a press release issued Tuesday morning by Pierce County:

The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center is collecting damage information from homeowners and business owners affected by last night's windstorm. Residents and business owners in Pierce County that suffered damage should call the Department of Emergency Management at 1-866-798- 6363 (toll free).

Callers should have the following information available:

Name and address of affected property

Type of insurance (homeowners)

A description of damage, even if uninsured

A personal estimate of uninsured losses

Estimates of the fair market value of the damaged home or busines. It is not necessary at this point for property owners to have a contractor's estimate.

The findings from this assessment will be used by the Governor to request a possible disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance from the President. This process could take up to couple of weeks or more. Federal disaster assistance, if and when it becomes available, only covers uninsured losses.

Among the immediate steps that individuals and families impacted by the windstorm should take, include:

Call your insurance agent to check on your coverage.

Keep detailed records of all clean-up and repair costs, including photographs.

When the time comes to make repairs, be aware of local permit requirements and do a thorough check of potential contractors.

Pierce County Crisis Communications...

http://columbia.co.pierce.wa.us/crisiscom

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