FAQs
- We already completed a “Preliminary Damage Assessment” which gave very rough estimates that helped us qualify for federal aid.
- A Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued which made Renton eligible for federal aid.
- FEMA met with city staff to do an initial review of projects and identify which ones are eligible for reimbursement under the declared disaster, and to gather additional information. Some site inspections have already been conducted by FEMA to validate damages, others are pending.
- Project documentation is now being reviewed by FEMA, and additional required site inspections are being scheduled.
- Some emergency permits have been approved for certain projects, like debris removal in the Cedar River. Those contracts are in the process of FEMA approval, and work should begin soon.
- Other projects still need to go through the permitting and bid/contract process and will take longer until FEMA approval is received.
- Next steps: Once all project documentation is received and all site inspections have validated the damages, FEMA obligates each project one at a time, and issues contract amendments to include the amount allowed for each approved project.
When will these projects get completed?
Each project has its own timeline. The projects that only utilized city staff for repairs or cleanup are mostly complete. Most projects that depend on external consultants and contracts or require environmental permits take longer to comply with legal requirements in contracting and permitting. For any project that requires a FEMA review, we must go through the process at every step. These projects may take more than a year or two to complete.
Why do these projects take so long?
There are several reasons these projects take time. We are following FEMA’s guidance and approval process, which requires each phase of work to be reviewed and approved before staff or contractors can move forward.
Some projects also require environmental permitting, which can add time to the schedule. To protect fish habitat, there are specific, narrow windows during which work in or near the water is allowed. It’s not always possible to complete all necessary work before the “fish window” closes.
If urgent work is needed to keep these projects on track before flood season, emergency permits can be issued to allow work to continue during this restricted “fish window.”
Why can’t the city make the repairs now and then ask for reimbursement?
To be responsible with taxpayer dollars, the city is pursuing FEMA aid. When applying for FEMA aid, the city must follow all the rules to maintain eligibility, which include a FEMA review at every step of bid solicitation, contracting, environmental reviews and permitting. If the city fails to follow the process, provide detailed information when requested, or comply with legal requirements like permitting, the project is disqualified. Funding is not only jeopardized for that project but can also be compromised for all projects depending on the severity of the non-compliance.
Where are we at in the FEMA process right now?
What’s happening with Carco Theatre?
Our Public Works Department has been managing recovery efforts at Carco Theater since the major flooding event in December 2025.
During the flood, the Carco Theater basement filled with more than seven feet of mud, which severely damaged the building’s electrical system and raised concerns about the structure. Cleanup and drying work are finished, but the building can’t be powered back on until new electrical components arrive and are installed. In the meantime, we’re working with PSE to provide temporary power so essential systems like HVAC, fire sprinklers, and exterior lighting can function. The fire sprinkler line has already been repaired and is ready to go once power is restored.
A full structural assessment is underway, with results expected in December 2026, and we continue coordinating with FEMA on documenting damage and reimbursement. The theater remains closed to tenants and the public, and the lease is currently paused until the building is safe to reopen.
What’s happening with all the debris in the Cedar River?
A contractor has been identified, and an emergency permit has been secured to allow the city to proceed with in-water work outside of the normal fish window. The work will be completed before the end of the year.