Inspectors Visiting Damaged Properties
Release Date: November 15, 2000
Release Number: 1348-03
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Honolulu, HI -- Damage inspectors are now on the Big Island visiting people who have registered for assistance, William L. Carwile III, federal coordinating officer for the recovery effort, said in a joint statement with State Coordinating Officer Ed Teixeira.
Residents who have registered for disaster assistance can expect to hear from one or more inspectors who will schedule a visit to look at damaged property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) schedules inspections within 7 to 10 days to verify losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration sends loss verifiers to inspect damaged property of those who have submitted completed loan applications. And the Red Cross also sends inspectors to meet with disaster victims and local building and safety inspectors may come to see if damaged structures are safe, Carwile explained.
"We are advising people who have registered for assistance to ask for identification from anyone saying they are damage inspectors," Carwile said. "All inspectors and verifiers carry official photo identification and if an inspector is not wearing an identification card or badge, ask to see it."
To date, 341 Hawaii county residents have registered for disaster assistance by calling the toll-free registration number at 1-800-462-9029. Assistance is still available. (Persons who are speech- or hearing-impaired can call TTY 1-800-462-7585.)
Last Modified: Friday, 07-Nov-2003 10:23:03