HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The city has received nearly 1,600 damage reports so far after the back-to-back Kona low storms.

Dawn Takeuchi Apuna, director of the Department of Planning and Permitting, provided the information Thursday while testifying in front of the Honolulu City Council Zoning & Planning Committee.

“It was very interesting just to understand, go house to house, to really see the damage, understand what people are going through,” said Apuna about validating the data with government employees.

The DPP provided the following data:

• 23 homes destroyed
• 260 homes need major repairs
• 32 temporarily inaccessible
• 436 homes sustained minor damage
• 442 homes sustained cosmetic damage, but are safe to live in
• 393 homes sustained no visible damage

Apuna explained that major damage means floodwaters reached more than 12 inches and covered a major outlet. Minor damage means floodwaters reached below 12 inches on a structure.

“With this information, FEMA was able to take that data and take it to the feds to determine the disaster declaration,” said Apuna.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration went out into the community to validate the information.

“It was important that we went out right after the storms to assess flood lines within houses and to really understand the level of damage,” said Apuna.

She said close to 56 percent of those affected did not have flood insurance. “That’s where FEMA comes in. If you don’t have insurance, FEMA hopefully can cover that cost.”

Apuna testified that the DPP is providing residents with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to restore structures.

DPP also received 17 new permit applications from flood victims.

“Six are repair permits, two are alteration or addition, which we need to look at because they might not be necessarily Kona low-affected,” said Apuna.

Staff can waive permitting fees on a case-by-case basis.

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Fire Department.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a structure fire on East Ririe Highway Thursday afternoon after a controlled burn spread to a nearby shed, resulting in significant property damage.

At approximately 4:05 p.m., emergency crews were dispatched following reports of a large shed on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found the structure fully involved, along with a pickup truck that was engulfed in flames.

Initial information indicates the homeowner had been burning vegetation along a canal bank behind the shed. Although the individual applied water and the fire appeared to be extinguished, it is believed the fire reignited and spread to the nearby structure.

Fire crews acted quickly to contain the blaze and prevent further spread. A classic car stored inside the shed was safely removed prior to significant damage. However, a Chevy pickup truck was destroyed, and the shed sustained severe structural damage and is no longer usable. Estimated property loss is approximately $80,000.

The fire also extended into a nearby willow tree, burning within the trunk. Due to safety concerns, a large cottonwood tree adjacent to the shed was felled by the department’s wildland team to prevent additional hazards and protect surrounding property.

The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded with a full suppression effort, including additional personnel. Assistance was also provided by the Idaho Falls Fire Department Wildland Team and Idaho State Police.