Lewis County and federal representatives are on the road this week to assess flood damage following several atmospheric rivers in the region last month.
The Lewis County Department of Emergency Management announced on Tuesday, Dec. 29, that it would begin what it calls “windshield damage assessment spot checkers.”
The term refers to drive-by only damage assessments of property in the county. Lewis County employees will guide both state and federal officials to do spot checks of damage reported to Lewis County through its flood damage reporting line.
The federal government will be represented by members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Small Business Administration.
According to a Facebook announcement from the local emergency management authority, officials are visiting four Lewis County cities affected by recent floods to view the lasting damage caused by the natural disaster. The officials are driving by affected properties in Chehalis, Morton, Randle and Packwood.
Lewis County Emergency Management Director Erika Katt said the officials during their drive-by assessments are looking to first measure how real water levels compare to what flood mapping and meters show. Secondly, they are looking to verify that claims about the extent of flooding and flood damage are accurate.
According to the announcement from Lewis County Emergency Management, officials are not expected to exit vehicles. Officials may take photos of significant flood damage from the car for “assessment purposes.”
Officials say they will not take photos of any individuals or enter private property. Officials are not expected to meet with or interact directly with any residents, but teams may be seen driving slowly through affected areas to properly assess damage to the area.
