Grant to help flood victims

$811,000 from state to go to county, homeowners

The Olympian • Published September 23, 2008

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A state grant will allow Thurston County to assist dozens of homeowners hit by flooding in the Chehalis River Basin.

The $811,000 grant is based on an application to elevate approximately 37 homes for low- and moderate-income families to help mitigate the potential for damage from future flooding.

The grant includes $33,000 to help the county with costs for administration, environmental studies and project management to assist with the work.

The rest of the funding will go directly to those who suffered in the historic flooding last December in the Chehalis River area of Thurston County.

"This is very good news for some of the families who were hit so hard by the devastating floods late last year. No one can predict when flooding might happen again, and this project may help provide some protection in the future," Thurston County Commission Chairman Diane Oberquell said.

She said it took a lot of hard work and cooperation from the Rochester-area community to get through the flooding, and she expects that effort to continue in the mitigation process.

County staff members will work with state officials to meet all of the grant requirements. An environmental assessment is getting under way, and outreach to potential beneficiaries will begin once that is completed.

The grant came from the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development.