Question: I have a question about the recent flooding on Oahu and Kauai. Has FEMA declared a federal disaster in these areas? Getting the declaration is important for anyone who suffered uninsured losses … because of changes in the federal tax code.
Answer: No, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has not yet recommended that President Trump issue a major disaster or emergency declaration for Oahu or Kauai; FEMA is still collecting damage reports from the storm that struck East Oahu on April 13 and Kauai the next day. The areas have been declared disaster zones by their respective mayors and by Hawaii’s governor, key steps in the process.
The issue you raise — starting in 2018, only uninsured casualty losses that occur in a federal disaster zone will be tax-deductible — is one reason every person who suffered storm losses should report them, toward the federal declaration threshold.
“We are conducting preliminary damage assessments along with HI-EMA this week. Once the assessments are complete, the governor will determine whether or not to request federal assistance,” Brandi Richard, spokeswoman for FEMA Region IX, which includes Hawaii, said Tuesday.
Gov. David Ige said there’s no question all available aid will be sought. “We are absolutely seeking federal assistance and will make requests for all programs that we qualify for. That will be determined by the county, state and federal assessments currently being conducted. We have already authorized the use of state funds and resources to take swift action and respond as quickly as possible to the community’s needs,” he told Kokua Line.
Seeking a presidential disaster declaration involves a joint assessment process that in this case includes the state, Kauai County, the City and County of Honolulu and FEMA’s regional office. When such a declaration is issued, the federal government acknowledges the destruction is too great for state or local governments to handle and offers a range of assistance.
Looking at past Hawaii disasters (808ne.ws/hidis), it takes several weeks or more for a federal declaration to be issued. For example, a storm that struck Sept. 11, 2016, was declared a federal “major disaster” on Oct. 6, 2016; a lava flow that began on Sept. 4, 2014, was declared on Nov. 3, 2014; and a tropical storm that struck Aug. 7, 2014, was declared on Sept. 12, 2014.
Road destruction on Kauai has made it difficult to reach and assess some properties. People with internet access can report damage online at kauai.gov/KEMA; click on the red “damage form” button.
In East Oahu people may visit a disaster recovery center. One will be open today from noon to 8 p.m. at Waimanalo District Park, 41-415 Hihimanu St. On Thursday it will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at Koko Head District Park, 423 Kaumakani St.
As you signaled in your question, the new U.S. income tax law eliminated several deductions, including for uncompensated losses over a certain amount due to theft, fire, storm, shipwreck or other qualifying events — unless they occurred in a disaster for which a presidential declaration was issued.
Mahalo
On Tuesday I discovered I had lost my wallet. As I retraced my steps, I concluded I last had it on Monday at the Bank of Hawaii in Safeway Kaneohe. When I went back to check, someone had turned it in. I don’t know whether I left it at the bank counter or dropped it on the floor. I want to thank whoever turned it in because I had a lot of money in it. Thank you very, very much. I am so happy to have it back. It’s good to know we still have a lot of honest people here. — L.K.
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