Reno Gazette-Journal du lieu suivant : Reno, Nevada • Page 6

6A Reno Gazette-Journal Mendav January 6.1997 fffl r-l La' lard-hit Washoe family courts Miss a paycheck? Banks offer programs New Courthouse: Water knocked out elevators and the fire detection svstem. height, however, was less than the peak of Thursday's flooding. So the doors sealed out the water until it spilled over the top. No one immediately had an explanation on why the doors were designed that way. The basement was flooded to near its ceiling.

Lost in addition to the fire warning system is a central control room for the security system and other electronic equipment. Getting them back on line "may take a long time, because some of those systems were demolished." McGee said. Concerns that water would damage evidence stored in the basement of the Washoe County Courthouse were unfounded. Only a There may be a way around that. Family Court Judge Charles McGee said: the law may allow someone like a security guard to walk the tloors to warn people of tire.

"Unless I'm told by the county we can't open, I think" we're going to be open for business." McGee said. "If we can't do business in the new building, then we've got to find some way to do business." That may mean going back to the old courthouse or another building. The new courthouse has submarine-type doors in the basement that can be sealed with air pressure to keep out water. The doors were designed to handle water to a certain height. That Family court and Reno Justice Court in the new courthouse at 1 S.

Sierra St. is another matter. New Year's Day floodwaters filled the basement holding the central control operations for the building. The elevators don't work, but more significantly, the fire detection and warning system doesn't work. The law may prohibit the county from reopening the new courthouse until the fire system is working.

By Steve Timko RENOGAZETTK-JOt RNA1. The Washoe County Courthouse at Court and South irginia streets should be open today because the building escaped with no significant flooding. Chief Judge Mills Lane said. But none of the jury trials set for today will start. It's not immediately clear when those trials will get underwav.

Dealer loses some vehicles but keeps business open EjjJF'" i- HPS, Wfm little water bubbled up into the evidence room and nothing got wet. "To my knowledge, no evidence as compromised," Lane said. The ashoe County District Attorney's Office had up to a fifth of its files stored in the basement of the county-owned building at Court and Sierra streets threatened by flood waters. The district attorney's staff moved the files out Thursday. Assistant District Attorney John Helzer said even the carpet might be saved.

The new U.S. District Court at South Virginia and Liberty streets was far enough away from the water that the flooding had no effect on federal court operations. Anay BarronHeno uazette-journai area of the lot on Sunday. safety, Ewert and his crew managed to put sandbags around the dealership building, keeping the water out. "I didn't have flood insurance," Ewert said.

"If we hadn't saved the building, we'd have been out of business for a month." where they worked and what they did every step of the way." The city's emergency teams have gone through FEMA-sponsorcd drills for an earthquake, an airplane crash and hazardous materials spills but never a flood. "And guess what happened." Walker said. "This was such a great test for us. It really tested our skills, and we came out with flying colors. We were ready for it and it went extremely smooth.

"I remember one time, FFMA's Master of Disaster came down, looked at the town and created an earthquake disaster. Bridges were down, a school went to the ground and kids were trapped, there was a fire here and a fire there. I thought: That will never happen. We'll never have that many hot spots at the same "But it happened. This was not a test.

This is what we trained for." push flood-damaged vehicles into one of Reno Jeep Eagle on I his pocket. Ewert expects to have the lost cars replaced from the manufacturer in four to six weeks. It could have been worse. When the Truckce River went wild, Ewert's dealership was directly in the path of water that overflowed I Street the nearby Reno Hilton lake and surged down Mill Street. "The thing that amazed me was how cold the water was," said Ken Alexander, Ewert's general manager who helped move cars.

"It got hard to move." Along with moving dry cars to By Gaye Delaplane RENOGAZETTE-JOL RNAI. If flood conditions caused a loss of work, delayed paychecks or unexpected expense, banks can help. "The first thing someone should do is call the bank and present the problem. We'll do everything we can to work with the person," said A.G. Henry, executive vice president of administration at Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada.

Extending payments, granting a line of credit to protect an account from being overdrawn and even a short-term loan for those who qualify are available, he said. "If we know payroll checks haven't been received, we're very tolerant," he said. Because the bank is locally owned and makes decisions locally, it can react quickly to these exceptional events, he said. David Funk, president of the Nevada region of Sierra West Bank, also noted the importance of contacting the bank quickly if financial problems arise because of conditions surrounding the flood. "Banks can do interest-only on loans or payments due," he said.

By deferring a payment, the person gets a breather to get back on his feet. The payment is not dropped, but simply added to the other end of the loan. For example, if you have a 36-month loan, you'll get a month off and pay a month longer, or the 37th month, he said. The important thing is to call the bank branch where you do business: "If it's a loan, get in touch with the loan officer. This goes for our branches in both Reno and Carson." Wells Fargo is in the process of finalizing a disaster program for northern Nevada that should be announced by Tuesday, said Daphne Larkin, bank spokeswoman.

"We have a program we quickly put in place in California following disasters," she said. "It helps renters, homeowners and small-business owners. The Nevada program will be similar." Bank of America also has a program for flooded customers in Carson City and Douglas, Lyon, Storey and Washoe counties. A special home-equity loan program. Homeowners can borrow $7,501 to $25,000 with preferential pricing and no fees or points.

Special personal loans. Customers affected by the flood can borrow $1,000 to $7,500 with no points or fees to help pay for flood damage. Loan extensions. Customers ith existing loans can revise or extend them. Home-loan and business customers affected by the flood may be eligible for a three-month moratorium on monthly payments without being subject to late charges.

Emergency credit lines. Credit limit increases for Visa and MasterCard customers and a delay of upcoming monthly payments can be arranged. Details: (800) 843-2632 or individual bank branches. US Bank released a plan Friday to assist qualified customers: Loan and credit-card extensions. Business and non-business customers can arrange to skip payments for the next two months.

Penalty waivers. Early withdrawal penalties will be waived if victims need to cash in certificates of deposit and other time deposits before their renewal dates. Lee waivers on new consumer and business loans and lines of credit. Those needing emergency loans can receive a response in 30 minutes. Details: (800) 872-2657 or individual bank branches.

"We understand the financial concerns and issues faced by the people who have been affected by the flooding and storms." said Diane Torry, manager of Northern Nevada Retail Bankine for US Bank. "We want to provide them both counsel and alternative financial options." CONTAINMENT EFFORTS CONTINUE IN SPARKS: Huge bulldozers push soil mixed with rock to try to fill the area of Helms Pit that has severely eroded next to Interstate 80 in Sparks. Andy Barron Reno GaeUe Joj'nal Carson, Douglas glad for funds and chance to put training to use By Don Cox RENOGAZETTE-JOIRNAL For someone who lost S2 million in new and used cars in the Flood of '97, Lewis Ewert acted like a very happy man Sunday. "I'm laughing a little now," said Ewert, owner of Reno Jeep Eagle on Mill Street. "But I was totally-down.

It almost put me under." Ewert is grateful to be open for business with 100 vehicles to sell after battling chest-deep water that destroyed half of his inventory in last week's massive flooding. Ewert, his daughter, his son-in-law and several employees spent 12 hours moving cars to higher ground on the dealership lot, the whole time racing to beat the rising water. 'T thought. "What are you going to do? You're going to be Ewert said. "I thought, 'I'll have 70 people ho will be out of work if don't keep this thing Ewert.

59, who has been selling cars on Mill Street since 1980, kept it together. His showroom is full of 1997 models. Salesmen are greeting customers. Nobody is out of a job. But one section of Ewert 's car lot is packed ith vehicles lost to the flood.

Most of them look brand-new. But they might as well be smashed flat. They're totaled. "It breaks your heart, all these (new) cars," Ewert said. The cars had water up to the dashboards.

Their interiors are ruined and their electrical systems soon will be. "Once water is in, the electronics rust, and you'll always have that mustvsmeil," Ewert said. "How can you sell a 538,000 automobile when it's been under TV staffers work despite personal hardships By Wayne Melton RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL Reno TV reporters overcame personal tragedies, and, in some cases, lived at work to cover the New Year's flood. Station managers called the efforts standard procedure for journalists eager to cover a big story. "There are people who did this at great personal sacrifice and risk," said Chuck Alvev, general manager of KOLO-TV Channel 8, an ABC affiliate.

The region's two other big network affiliates sacrificed as well, losing advertising revenues to show live new s. The stations spent big bucks on satellite airtime, with costs ranging from $125 to S500 for each five-minute slot. Each station declined to reveal its total news coverage expenses and the amount of lost advertising revenue. The costs are believed to be substantial, at least based on general expenses they described. These costs include overtime and extra holiday wages.

Yet why would mid-size market stations spend big bucks covering major breaking news? "It's well worth it," said Lawson Fox, general manager of KTVN-TV Channel 2, a CBS affiliate. "It's (major breaking news) what we're here for." Caught up in nonstop news coverage. Fox hadn't calculated KTVN's lost ad revenues and total new costs. Officials at each station said their phones rang incessantly, especially on the flood's peak days. Many viewers wanted information; officials called to give it.

Reno's KRNV-TV Channel 4, an NBC affiliate, gave satellite news feeds to sister affiliates and stations in many other countries. "We've fed to everybody you could possiblv imagine," said Ralph Toddre, KRNV general manager. Workdays of 1 2 to 18 hours were standard, and staffers worked via helicopter when floods crested. t. 43,455 sandbags: $23,265 (Sand: no charge) 36 people working 10- to 12-hour shifts Jan.

1 (double holiday pay and overtime): $36 600 155 people working 9- to 12-hour shifts Jan. 2-3: $46,750 25 trucks at $65 an hour and 8 loaders at $100 an hour 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: $24,500 Food: Smith's, Safeway, McDonald's, Burger King, $104; Subway, $143.70 SORTING THEM OUT: Employees water?" Ewert 's losses include 12 of the 18 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Li-miteds that sell for $38,000 each when every option is included. Insurance will cover most, but not all, of Ewert's damage. Ewert is still figuring how much will come out of What: KRNV-TV one-hour flood video Cost: $25 Checks: Make out to the American Red Cross; money benefits flood relief.

Mail to: KRNV Flood Video, P.O. Box 71 60, Reno 89510 "This type of event is what I live for. And it's the reason I got into this business," said Mike Alger, KTVN meteorologist. "It makes my heart pump." Some of the worst tragedies hit KOLO personnel. One KOLO news official, Larry Wisebcck.

worked through the crisis although floodwaters destroyed his Lock-wood home. At least two colleagues managed to get to work as the storm threatened their ranch homes. Meteorologist Sam Shad and his wife. Bonnie, stayed at the station after the storm damaged their residence. A co-anchor's fiance, a police officer, volunteered to put sandbags outside the station.

Yet at one point, Alvey said his crew was short-staffed. At least four reporters were on vacation and couldn't get back to Reno. Meteorologist Tom Butler was on his honeymoon. Despite KOLO's efforts, Alvey said some viewers called to complain that the station cut into bowl games to give flood reports. Some viewers said the flood was stupid, not worth coverage; others demanded it.

"We had people calling us and screaming," Alvey said. "They didn't think it (the flood) was that big a deal." KOLO tried to please both types of viewers, by using "crawlers," written updates across the bottom of the screen. Amid those challenges, "we ent on the air as often as we were'able, with the info we could," Alvey said. Many staffers and equipment got soaked and mud-caked. Wind and heavy rain ripped a mast off a KRNV satellite truck.

In some respects, major wildland fires in recent years caused greater news-gathering challenges that put journalists in more danger than the flood, Toddre said. "The news coverage by everybody was spectacular, and the public was well-served by all the claring the area a disaster," Finance Director Mary Walker said when she got that news. "If it includes the $120,000 in snow-removal expenses, we're better off today than a week ago." Flood-related expenses for Carson Citv were estimated to be about $210,000 through Sunday. The city could be reimbursed for up to 100 percent of its costs. Walker said.

"The majority of our costs are from payroll," she said. "The biggest expense is overtime and outside contractors." Extensive planning and relentless documentation will help recoup most expenses. Walker said. "When we went through the FEMA training, what was pounded into our heads was document, document, document so we can submit the information to the feds. We filled out stacks of time sheets.

People in the field wrote down By Patti Steele RENO GAZETTE-JOURN AL If the New Year's flood brought any good news, it was financial. the word came amid the muck Friday afternoon: Douglas County and Carson City were among five western Nevada counties eligible for federal grants and loans to recover from damage beginning Dec. 20, when the blizzard that helped cause the disaster began. In Douglas County, where thousands of residents were stranded in their homes by the flooded Carson River and damage was believed to be much worse than in Carson City, County Manager Dan Holler estimated officials would seek about $30 million in federal recovery aid. The bulk of that money would be used to repair miles of damaged river banks along both of Carson's forks.

"We don't have a hard cost to Douglas County itself," he said. Before snow began to fall Christmas week, the county had $300,000 in its emergency contingency budget for snow removal and flood control, he said. Carson City was in far better financial condition than Douglas County before the flood began, and the word from the White House could mean the city's finances will weather the flood ell. "We're in about as good a shape as we can get with the president de- urn 1 1 Norwest Bank Nevada has established a Sierra Nevada Flood Relief Fund. Details: 765-8441.

The local Red Cross is seeking money for supplies. Donations can be mailed to The American Red Cross headquarters at 11 90 Corporate Reno 89502. Details: 858-1000. The Salvation Army is collecting equipment and money to buy supplies. Deliver supplies and financial support to the Salvation Army, Emergency Disaster Services, 1931 Sutro Reno 89512.

Details: ft.