CANYON CITY – The Grant County Court has asked Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a disaster as a result of flooding in the southern part of the county.

Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush made the request to the county court at its meeting April 2. Grant County Judge Jim Hamsher and County Commissioners John Rowell and Mitch Wilson signed the request that states the county sought the declaration due to above-average rainfall, flood conditions and the National Weather Service predicting a continuation of those conditions through the spring months.

Bush mentioned a flood damaged road in Seneca, damage to Scottie Creek Road, Bear Valley and at least one private bridge that has been compromised. Bush said Scottie Creek and all of the tributaries leading into the Silvies are part of the same watershed affecting Burns.

Bush said a disaster declaration would put the county in contention to be covered under an existing disaster declaration from the governor covering the southeast portion of the state. The declaration would take effect immediately with Kotek’s approval and would cover the entire county.

The declaration would cover flooding in the county from March 15 onward. The declaration request states the emergency declaration would remain in effect until further notice unless amended with the consent of the Grant County Court.

A disaster declaration is a required step to receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in relation to the flooding, according to Bush. That FEMA help is reliant upon a federal disaster declaration for the affected areas.

Any assistance from FEMA would be used specifically for damage to infrastructure. Bush said up to 75% of infrastructure repair costs could be reimbursed if a federal declaration is issued and FEMA funding is available.

Businesses or private citizens who have been affected by flooding in Southern Grant County will have an online portal they can utilize to file claims.

“We’re going to be putting that out shortly,” Bush said.