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Lincoln County outlines recovery needs after December Libby Creek flooding; FEMA declarations signed
Summary
County officials said an atmospheric‑river event in December produced heavy runoff that reshaped Libby Creek, damaged roads and bridges, and triggered two FEMA emergency declarations for flood and wind; reimbursement will be through the FEMA documentation process.
County officials briefed NRDP representatives on extensive flood and wind damage tied to an atmospheric‑river event in December that they described as a "100‑year flood," saying the storms dumped heavy rain and runoff into Libby Creek and several tributaries.
"I believe they're calling it a 100‑year flood," said the county official summarizing the December event, and described washed‑out road approaches, levee failures on port property, and repeated tree blowdowns that have left debris throughout the watershed. The county reported two FEMA emergency declarations for flood and wind had been signed and that FEMA reimbursement is reimbursement‑based and requires full documentation.
County staff said engineering assessments are under way for multiple repairs, including temporary bridge work at Keeler Kirk and a permanent repair on Granite Creek Road. "We should be getting the funds as of Friday because they signed the declaration," the county official added, noting that reimbursement depends on submitting eligibly documented expenses. The county has also retained a consultant and a debris‑mitigation monitor to help prepare FEMA claims and to ensure cleanup actions follow permitting and federal rules.
Next steps include field assessments by debris monitors and contractors to produce drone‑based quantification reports and a mid‑August workshop to solicit proposals for recovery projects and funding coordination.
