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Flooded property owners assess damage for possible disaster funds

Arlington County declared a state of emergency in an attempt to secure federal disaster relief money.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Arlington County declared a state of emergency due to Monday's devastating flooding. The declaration allows the county to request state and federal disaster aid. 

But Arlington County first needs an estimate of what was lost. Emergency leaders are asking property owners with damage to fill out assessment information by Friday at 5 p.m. 

Its a race against time trying to clean up the flood damage left behind from the torrential downpour.

Krista Stenborg’s newly renovated basement is a total loss.

Stenbord said she's looking at between $100,000 to $200,000 in damages. She's a single mom whose daughter daughter is away at camp, and doesn't know her entire book collection is ruined. 

"She's an avid reader," Stenborg said. "I'm guessing there's somewhere between 100 to 200 books, if not more than that, we were keeping. She had plans to build a little library downstairs."

RELATED: Arlington businesses struggle to re-open following flash flood

But downstairs is wiped out, along with their heating and cooling system. 

The flood dumped more than three inches an hour. With storm drains overrun, the water had nowhere to go, except in basements.

That’s where the electrical panel was for the Westover shopping center. With no power, the Forest Inn Bar and Grill is closed.

"We are the neighborhood bar," manager Ken Choudhary said. "On a normal day, all the booths were going to be full."

The Forest Inn has been operating here for more than 30 years. They're losing at least $2,000 a day. 

Next door at Ayers Variety and Hardware, Kristi Peterkin isn’t taking any chances. She pulled on gloves and a mask before venturing down into the dark basement where mold is now growing.

All of their fall and winter merchandise was stored in the basement. She thinks they lost more than $100,000. 

Damaged equipment, spoiled food and everything else that was in Westover Market's basement was trashed and hauled away. They believe it was all worth about $150,000.

"We could use some assistance," Westover Market and Beer Garden's general manager Joseph Turner, said.

The Market did bring in a large generator to run lights and refrigeration. They’re washing off the grill, preparing to serve beer this weekend.

Turner's view of the situation? 

"Everybody needs a beer." 

RELATED: Downed trees, wires -- Here are the damage reports from storms in the DMV

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