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PACIFIC, Wash. - The flood cleanup continues in Western Washington as residents now try to get help for paying the damage.

One of the worst hit areas, the town of Pacific, begins the process of being declared a federal disaster area so people can qualify for federal funding.

While waters are receding in most areas around the region, standing water still covers the town, which flooded Friday after the Corps of Engineers released water into the White River from the Mud Mountain Dam. With little notice to residents, the flooding quickly created a 25-acre lake in the middle of town, affecting about 100 homes.

Despite anger by some residents at the Corps of Engineers, residents were still pulling together to help their neighbors. 

"We're just trying to go forward and keep our spirits up," said Bruce Zarfos, flood victim.

"The citizens were the ones that pulled together and saved a lot of the homes," said Pacific Mayor Rich Hildreth. "We were able to have sandbags positioned."

Pacific residents will meet with King County and FEMA at the community gym Tuesday at 5 p.m. to find out about government assistance.

In East King County, part of Highway 202 in Fall City collapsed and the foundations of three homes washed away. In the same neighborhood, one homeowner is cleaning up six feet of mud and water in her basement. Similar scenes are playing out in other communities across Western Washington.

King County Flood Damage hotline

King County flood victims now have a place to report flood damage. A preliminary damage reporting hotline has been set up for individual property and business owners in King County to report losses.

The hotline will be open during the following days and times: Jan. 12: 12 p.m.- 4:30 p.m., Jan.13-16, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at 800-523-5044.  Citizens may also report damages online.

People with flood damage need to contact their insurance company first and they should document damage by taking pictures and writing descriptions. The county will report estimated losses to the state to seek and emergency declaration for federal assistance.

Flood warnings remain for 2 Wash. rivers

The National Weather Service plans to drop flood warnings on the Cedar and Chehalis rivers by Monday evening.

The Cedar at Renton in King County and the lower reaches of the Chehalis in Grays Harbor County are the last of the rivers that caused widespread flooding last week in Western Washington.

Mountain passes open

The Transportation Department says the Washington Cascade highway passes are open with some restrictions.

On I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass drivers are told not to pull over on shoulders because of erosion caused by heavy rain and melting snow.

Traction tires are advised Monday morning on Stevens and White passes. Blewett Pass remains closed by washouts.

Preliminary damage estimate: $125 million

Gov. Chris Gregoire gave what she called a very preliminary estimate for damage to roads and state property of $125 million. U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced $2 million in federal aid, with more to come after the damage assessment is completed.

No estimate has been made concerning personal property damage, but officials said the floods were devasting to many.

"The personal and financial losses flood victims suffered are extensive," said King County Executive Ron Sims in a statement, adding that "No words can effectively ease the pain that so many people feel now."

Other damage

More information is also coming in about the flood damage in Lewis County.

According to published reports, the sheriff's department estimates more than 435 homes were damaged. More than 300 of those homes are in the Morton and Centralia areas and unincorporated parts of the county.

The flooding displaced 300 people and damaged water treatment plants in Pe Ell and Morton

Meanwhile, more long lines are expected at a Snoqualmie dump site as people clean up flood debris, damaged carpet and hardwood floors.

Over the weekend, Snoqualmie residents brought in tons of trash, including TV's, carpet and furniture destroyed in the flood. The city's public works department plans to keep the temporary dump site operating as long as there's a need for it. They expect to have another busy weekend Saturday and Sunday.

Operators at the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center have received about 600 flood-related calls, spokeswoman Barbara Nelson said.

"We need people to be really careful when they're cleaning up," Nelson told The News Tribune.

In Carnation, east of Seattle in the Snoqualmie River Valley, Jim Fay was working with a contractor on the three-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot rambler house he owns and rents to a man with a 15-year-old son. The house, built by his father in 1965, had never flooded until last week, when his renter was chased by 16 inches of water.

Repairs will take "month and months," Fay told The Associated Press, adding that he has flood insurance.

"We have to tear out all the walls, inside and out, all the cabinets ... the linoleum on the floors and the particleboard underneath," he said.

Corliss Serka said her home in Carnation got 2 to 3 feet of water.

"We're trying to clean up," Serka said. "We're in a state of uncertainty. It's soaked and deep in mud, in some places 2 to 3 inches of silt. It was covered in silt. ...

"It's kind of an adventure. We are so blessed. I'm not so overwhelmed by the mess as I am by the show of friendship and the loving kindness of friends."

Lingering trouble spots included Stanwood, near the mouth of the Stillaguamish River north of Everett; Index, east of Everett, where a slide blocked a road used by 100 people; and Richland, where authorities warned that wells could be contaminated by floodwater, and high water threatened some livestock.

In Stanwood, a washed-out levee left about 20 houses isolated by high water south of the town's sewage lagoon. Several homeowners said their damage was less than in past flooding because they had raised the level of the houses.

The Mount Index River Road along the south fork of the Skykomish River was hit by an avalanche of mud, snow and trees Saturday morning, and more debris came down over the weekend as crews tried to clear the mess.

Richland and West Richland residents had to scramble Sunday to keep livestock clear of water that rose as deep as 6 feet over some pastures. Greg Sullivan used a canoe to help save a neighbor's cows. the Tri-City Herald reported.

Northwest Response

KING 5 has launched Northwest Response to help those devastated by the floods. The money raised will go to the American Red Cross for storm victim relief. Cash donations can be made at any US Bank location in Western Washington or through KING5.com