FEMA Home Damage Inspectors on the Job in 10 Florida Counties
Release Date: September 4, 2008
Release Number: 1785-017
» More Information on Florida Tropical Storm Fay
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are currently performing inspections for those applicants whose homes were damaged by the high winds and severe local flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fay.
As part of the process of applying for disaster assistance, the housing inspection is conducted following an individuals disaster registration with FEMA. These inspections are critical to the FEMA application process because they document damage. Inspectors do not determine whether an applicant is eligible or provide estimates on damages.
In the 10 declared Individual Assistance counties - Brevard, Duval, Hendry, Lee, Leon, Okeechobee, Seminole, St. Lucie, Volusia and Wakulla - more than 5,500 housing inspection requests have been requested. To date, 4,459 homes in the declared counties have been inspected (80 percent). Most housing inspections are completed within a two-day period after an inspection is assigned.
Understanding the Inspection Process
Before an inspector is assigned, homeowners or renters with disaster-related damage to their homes must register with FEMA. They can register by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 (FEMA), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with a speech- or hearing-impairment. Applicants can also register through the Internet at www.fema.gov. Multilingual assistance is available to applicants. A few days later an inspector will call to arrange to inspect the damaged property.
It is critical that FEMA has current contact information and accurate directions so inspectors can reach each eligible applicant. If a homeowner is unable to return for the mandatory damage inspection, they may authorize an agent to be present.
- Damage inspection is free;
- A FEMA inspector will contact an applicant by phone to schedule an appointment;
- An applicant should give clear, accurate directions to the damaged property, the street address and a current phone number;
- A street address is required since post office boxes do not show locations;
- An inspector will try three times to schedule a damage inspection appointment. After that, unnecessary delays may occur;
- Owners and renters must show proof of occupancy such as a utility bill or landlord statement;
- Owners must also show proof of ownership and some forms will need to be signed; and
- Each inspection generally takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Be Alert for Disaster Fraud
FEMA inspectors carry official photo identification. Residents should ask for photo identification from home damage inspectors. Please contact the local police if money is requested for an inspection or you believe someone is misrepresenting themselves as an inspector.
- Identification includes the person's name and photo. The badge will say "Under Contract to FEMA."
- Official inspectors will never ask for money or use a vehicle bearing a FEMA logo.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Sep-2008 09:35:28