Preliminary Damage Assessments Continue In Storm-Affected Neighborhoods 

Release Date: February 5, 2007
Release Number: 1677-004

» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Winter Storms
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Winter Storm

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) continue this week in counties affected by the severe winter storms that began on Jan. 12. These assessments are first-hand surveys conducted by teams of federal, state and local emergency management personnel to determine the type and amount of damage that governments and individuals may have suffered.

Preliminary damage specialists have extensive experience in:

The joint teams visit the disaster scene to determine the extent of private and public damages and to estimate the types and extent of federal disaster aid needed.

This week PDA specialists will visit some of the homes damaged by the winter storms; team members will not visit all damaged homes.

It's important that homeowners are aware that teams may be assessing damages in their neighborhood. All PDA specialists carry photo identification, and residents are encouraged to ask for this ID if they are interviewed on the extent of their damages.

PDA teams do not ask for any personal information, such as a social security number or financial information.  The teams do not register anyone for any type of disaster assistance; they are in neighborhoods only to assess storm damage.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 05-Feb-2007 15:45:11