I felt devastated after a tree fell on my house during the last windstorm we had. While trying to repair the house, city officials came by with a stop-work order saying I wouldn’t be able to repair the house due to the amount of damage since the house was located in the floodplain (more than 50-percent damage to the total cost of the house and FEMA says you can’t rebuild).

Needless to say, I was about to lose a home and have a large financial loss. I began getting calls from commercial folks wanting to buy my place. I felt the buying price would probably be low since I could sell land only.

Then, Tony Yanez called me and said he had read about my situation in the paper. He took it upon himself to research Washington laws and found legal ways that allow for a waiver to the 50-percent damage FEMA rule. He sent them to me and also sent them to the city of Snoqualmie.

Since then the city has worked with appropriate government agencies and I’m now able to rebuild my house and the stop-work order has been removed. During this whole process Tony kept in touch with me. Without his encouragement, his knowledge of bureaucratic process and the ability to work with our city officials, I would not have known how to get the waiver to rebuild and regain the value of my property.

This should be good news to anyone who may need to rebuild in the floodplain. Mr. Yanez, you didn’t take “you can’t” for an answer and I can’t begin to express the appreciation I have for your efforts. Thanks for taking it upon yourself to get involved to help a neighbor in need.

Will Salmonson

Snoqualmie