Ivar's still recovering from storm; fish bar open

Ivar's fish bar in Mukilteo is open, but it could be several weeks or months before its full-service restaurant is fully functioning.

Bob Donegan, the president of Ivar's, said estimates are expected today from insurance adjusters, piling inspectors and fire inspectors.

The restaurant, along the waterfront next to the Mukilteo ferry landing, was damaged by an abrupt windstorm Oct. 28 that lifted the business from its piling.

The northerly winds — up to 60 mph — coincided with a high tide that damaged Ivar's, which is built over the water and has no protection. Many of the windows were broken, and salt water flowed through the dining room and other areas.

Donegan said the restaurant had 48 employees, about 24 of them full time, and arrangements have been made to provide them with health insurance and other benefits through the year's end.

At the peak of the storm, about 82,000 customers lost power, but all the connections were restored by Thursday, said Mike Thorne, a spokesman for the Snohomish County Public Utility District.