LIHU'E — With damage reports now totaling more than $1.1 million, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. today issued a declaration of emergency for Kaua'i following flooding and high winds that hit the island beginning Dec. 11.

With the declaration, residents who have verified damages can make a claim for property tax relief with Kaua'i County.

"I've made a visual assessment of the west side and had a chance to review the residents' claims that have been filed to date, and I feel the declaration is warranted," said Carvalho in a news release. "We want to ensure that our residents have every access to financial assistance if they suffered damages to their homes or businesses."

Kau'i experienced numerous flash flood watches and warnings from Dec. 11 through 15, and also was placed under a tornado warning briefly on Dec. 13.

Four-day rainfall totals compiled by the National Weather Service for the period ending at 8 a.m. Dec. 14 showed more than 24 inches of rain at Mount Waialeale, 16 inches at Koke'e, 11 inches at Lihu'e Airport and 8 inches at Hanalei.

The Kaua'i Civil Defense Agency has been accepting damage reports from residents throughout the week. As of today, 50 reports had been filed totaling more than $1.1 million in estimated damages.

Damage reports ranged in value from $200 to $250,000. Fifteen of the reports were from Waimea. Sixteen of the reports did not include an estimated value of loss.

The public is encouraged to continue to report weather-related damages to 808-241-1800.

Homeowners may file for a disaster tax relief claim within 60 days from the date of the disaster but no later than Feb. 11, 2009. The claim should be the result of flood waters overflowing the banks or walls of a river or stream.

Forms are available at the Department of Finance Real Property Tax office, Lihue Civic Center, Kapule Building, 4444 Rice St. You may also obtain a form by logging on to the county Web site at www.kauai.gov.

For more information, call the Real Property Tax office at 241-6226.

Next week the Kaua'i Civil Defense Agency will work with other county agencies and the Red Cross to create damage assessment teams that will go out into the community and inspect reported property damage.