County urges residents, businesses to report storm and flood damage

CHELAN COUNTY — Residents and business owners who suffered losses during the December 2025 windstorm and flooding are being urged to complete a damage assessment form as officials work to determine whether federal disaster assistance may be available.

County officials said the assessments are being used to document the scope and severity of storm-related damage across Chelan County, including impacts to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and access. That information is required to evaluate whether damage thresholds have been met for a federal disaster declaration.

Chelan County Emergency Management said completing the assessment is a critical first step in documenting the extent of local damage for potential Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. As of Dec. 15, no federal financial assistance has been approved for individuals, but county officials said sufficient documentation could help support a request for aid.

The damage assessment form is available in both English and Spanish and is intended for both individuals and businesses; government agencies and municipalities should work directly with Emergency Management rather than using the public form. Officials emphasized that submitting the assessment does not guarantee financial assistance but helps build the case for possible state or federal support.

Officials said the form should be completed once for each location where damage occurred, rather than combining multiple sites into a single submission.

Residents who need help completing the assessment can contact Chelan County Emergency Management at 509-667-6863 during weekday business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 2025 Individual and Business Damage Assessment form is available online through the county’s Emergency Management website.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media