FEMA Inspectors, Others Are in Texas Neighborhoods
Release Date: October 22, 2008
Release Number: 1791-175
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike
AUSTIN, Texas -- Inspectors for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are among the personnel currently working throughout southeast Texas to gauge the losses that businesses and residents experienced from Hurricane Ike.
Others include loss verifiers from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and residential substantial loss estimators, who are providing technical support to local communities.
FEMA inspectors - After an individual or family registers for assistance, a FEMA damage inspector usually makes contact by phone within five to seven days to schedule an appointment with the applicant for a home inspection. Using a hand-held computer, the inspector observes and records disaster-caused damage and views documents relating to such matters as ownership, occupancy and legal residency. The process usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes and the information is used by the agency in determining eligibility for the Individuals and Households Program, including Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance. Inspectors may visit only those homes to which they are assigned, and neighbors often have different inspectors. The inspector will not determine whether the applicant is eligible for assistance. Disaster home inspections are free.
SBA Loss Verifiers - Loss verifiers, also known as construction analysts, contact applicants for SBA loans as soon as possible after applications are received. Like FEMA inspectors, loss verifiers call ahead to set up appointments. Their role is to ascertain what it would cost in todays market to repair, rebuild or replace structures and to replace personal property. They report the information they collect for use by loan officers who make determinations about whether loans will be offered and the terms of the loans.
Residential Substantial Damage Estimators - To stay in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program, communities must enforce regulations relating to "substantial damage." A building is considered to be substantially damaged when the cost of returning the structure to its pre-disaster condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of its pre-disaster value. Currently, several teams, which include FEMA personnel, are providing technical assistance to communities to help them determine which buildings are substantially damaged. Teams typically go first to areas identified by local officials and then to particular addresses within those areas. It is generally not necessary for the estimators to see the interior of buildings, though they sometimes go inside when invited. Using computer software developed for this purpose, the teams provide information to local officials on the approximate costs to repair buildings. Community officials use public records showing pre-disaster valuations and they - not FEMA personnel -- make determinations about whether structures are substantially damaged.
In addition to the above personnel, residents may also be visited by insurance adjustors and local building officials, as well as others involved in the recovery process. Building officials typically charge fees for permits, though these are sometimes waived after disasters. Otherwise, none of the personnel listed here ask for payments and all wear or carry official photo identification.
The first step in obtaining an array of assistance that is coordinated by FEMA is to register at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Questions about inspections and other FEMA concerns can be addressed through the helpline option. Operators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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, 23-Oct-2008 08:57:33