Ask the Mayor: How Can Flood Victims Get Assistance?

ʻĪao Valley, erosion and flood debris from flash flood. PC: 9.14.16 by Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his office staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, call 270-7855 or send them by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Aloha Mayor,

Q: My friends are still recovering from flood damage to their home. Is there any way they can get some assistance besides family and friends? They lost most of their household goods in the flood.

A: Residents who were impacted by the recent flooding should call Civil Defense at ph. 270-7285 as soon as possible to report damage and to let us know what kind of assistance they need. Damage reports may also be filed online at www.mauicounty.gov/civildefense. Both Governor Ige and I have issued emergency declarations, and representatives from FEMA will be arriving on-island soon to begin the process of determining whether we may be eligible for federal assistance. In order to demonstrate the need for funding, it’s important that we receive damage reports from those impacted.