Public damage costs from bomb cyclone near $20M in Snohomish County

The bomb cyclone that struck Snohomish County last month caused approximately $18. 6 million in damage, primarily to public infrastructure, with a significant impact on power systems. The Snohomish County Public Utility District reported losses of around $15 million to $16 million due to the storm damaging 130 utility poles and over 100 transformers, resulting in widespread power outages affecting about 135,000 homes and businesses. Emergency crews worked tirelessly, completing over 1,500 response tasks to restore services and clear debris in the aftermath. Additionally, county parks faced more than $800,000 in damages, leading to temporary closures.

The county's emergency management department is actively gathering data to apply for federal relief funds to support recovery efforts. Governor Jay Inslee noted the unprecedented scale of the storm's impact and stressed the importance of accurate damage assessments for securing federal aid. The county is scheduling in-person damage surveys to assist public agencies in seeking assistance, and local officials urge property owners to document damages thoroughly to qualify for potential relief.