Skykomish business owners say reopening will be welcome relief after steep revenue losses

Local business owners in Skykomish told state officials and reporters that reopening U.S. Highway 2 to Stevens Pass will provide critical relief ahead of the ski season after flood-related closures took a heavy toll.

Glenn Eburn, who owns Leweski's Deli, said his business "lost about 60%" of revenue during the closure and credited media coverage and customers traveling from the Puget Sound area for helping keep payroll intact. Mayor Henry Sladek said some businesses in town "were impacted by 80 to 90%."

Eburn recounted examples of community support: visitors from Seattle tipped employees and bought meals, and local churches and teachers helped assemble donation packages for staff. "They proceeded to give $50 a tip to each of our employees," Eburn said of one group of visitors, and he described how donations helped retain staff with only a temporary furlough for one employee.

Governor Ferguson praised the local response and media coverage, saying images of the flooding "helped save lives" by showing the scale of impacts and prompting assistance. Officials urged businesses and homeowners to document flood damage carefully because the state plans to compile a federal disaster-relief application to FEMA that will inform potential aid.

City and state officials said immediate private donations and community support have helped bridge payroll and basic needs, but longer-term recovery will depend on the federal review and larger repair timelines that could last months.