Commissioners sign emergency declaration
Following the large scale destruction Wednesday's windstorm caused on Kootenai County, Commissioner Chris Fillios signed an emergency declaration to request state resources and assistance. (MADISON HARDY/Press)
Fallen trees have torn down power lines across the county after Wednesday's windstorm, leaving thousands still without power. Kootenai County's emergency declaration aims to gain support from the state as local resources are heavily taxed with recovery. (MADISON HARDY/Press)
Following Wednesday's disastrous windstorm, the Kootenai County Commissioners ratified an emergency declaration to request financial support from the state.
Initially signed by board chairman Chris Fillios Wednesday morning, the commissioner unanimously ratified the declaration Thursday.
By adopting the resolution, the board asked for state resources to assist the county's already taxed response entities. Fillios was compelled to sign the document after witnessing Avista Utilities and Kootenai Electric Cooperative clients' widespread power outages, he said.
"Roads are blocked, some folks are still out of power, and there has been at least one fatality," he said. "Instead of waiting for the seven days to elapse, which we are entitled to by law, I decided that we proceed."
The declaration acts as a communication line, Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management Director Tiffany Westbrook said. Formally, it alerts the state that an emergency could require resources beyond what the county can offer, Westbrook said.
In this case, Kootenai County is hoping for aid financially.
"This looks like a pretty costly disaster considering the intel we are getting from our partners and our damage assessment," Westbrook said.
Several of the OEM's partners, including the regional highway districts, public works department and solid waste, have expressed a need for reimbursement, Westbrook said.
The overall damage has not been calculated, but entities expect to report their costs for debris removal and safety measures sometime next week.
"(The declaration) is very necessary for our partners. They did experience a high call volume, and they've been out on the roads trying to make it safe," Westbrook said. "We need to do what we can to support them."
Following Idaho law, the declaration will remain in effect until all utilities are restored and the risk of immediate danger from damaged trees and infrastructure concludes.
"Fortunately, Kootenai Electric has been able to restore some power, but they are still about 4,000 without it," Westbrook said. "This declaration opens the door to get resources from the state that we need, and we appreciate your help. Hopefully, we don't have another storm for a while."
