Storm’s economic toll lingers as MEND ramps up aid in Leavenworth

LEAVENWORTH — It has been over a month since the Dec. 10 storm brought flooding, fallen trees and power outages to Leavenworth. While the physical damage is not as visible, the impact has had a lasting ripple effect in the community. 

“For the most part, town feels like it's gotten back to normal, but the long term impact of a crisis like this on a lot of people's financial needs is sort of an invisible impact that people might not realize is still happening,” said Interim Executive Director Hillary Clark.

In the immediate aftermath, Upper Valley MEND helped displaced residents find emergency housing, assisted with financial needs, and welcomed new visitors to its food pantry, the Community Cupboard. By the end of December, the organization said it provided more than $22,000 in storm-related financial assistance to help with utilities, rent and gas for transportation.

However, Upper Valley MEND anticipates the storm-related increase in needs will continue in the months to follow, especially among the local workforce. The storm hit Leavenworth during the peak of the holiday tourism season, when many businesses rely on high visitor traffic to sustain them through the slower winter months. Temporary closures of US-2, along with power outages and online misinformation about the town being closed, led to widespread cancellations and reduced foot traffic, according to the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Public Relations Director Jessica Stoller said visitation from Thanksgiving through New Year’s was down an estimated 35 to 40 percent compared with previous years.

“This loss affected not only businesses but also employees who depend on regular hours and holiday shifts, with some experiencing reduced schedules or lost wages during a crucial time of year,” said Stoller.

Stoller added that final sales tax and lodging tax data would provide a clearer picture later, but early indicators and feedback from businesses points to a much quieter season than usual. As Leavenworth enters its winter shoulder season, Clark said those losses are likely to continue affecting the workforce.

“When there's fewer people coming to town, there are fewer shifts and lower tips, and that makes it hard for people who rely on that increased income during the holiday season to be able to make it through the slower tourism season,” said Clark. “It's already kind of a lean time of year.”

Upper Valley MEND is working to expand its capacity in anticipation of the prolonged needs, which involves a fundraising campaign for storm-related relief. The organization has already received a pledging match of $15,000 from an anonymous group of donors. With the funding, Upper Valley MEND plans to bolster the Community Cupboard as well as its financial assistance services.

Clark said the organization’s financial assistance services are primarily funded through Chelan County, but storm-related needs have been “above and beyond” what the county is able to reimburse. Having additional funds will not only enable the organization to expand the type of help it is able to provide, but it will also increase the amount of help it is able to provide to households.

More information about Upper Valley MEND and options to donate can be found at uvmend.org.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media