Inspectors Visiting Flood-Damaged Homes
Release Date: July 11, 2006
Release Number: 1649-014
» More Information on Pennsylvania Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania residents affected by the recent severe storms and flooding who have already applied for FEMA disaster assistance can expect to have their homes inspected by disaster housing inspectors.
After you register for aid by calling the FEMA toll-free number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585, for the speech or hearing impaired), a FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an appointment to visit your home. When the inspector calls, be sure to give clear, accurate directions to the damaged property, the street address and a current phone number where you can be reached. Post office boxes do not show locations.
"We are working quickly to meet the needs of those affected by the disaster," said Commonwealth Coordinating Officer James R. Joseph. “A visit by an inspector is one of the important steps in the recovery process.”
Here are some of the things homeowners should be aware of when a FEMA inspector arrives:
- All inspectors wear a current photo identification badge displaying their picture and ID number.
- Clothing with names or insignias is not an indication they work for the agency.
- Inspectors do not determine any dollar amounts. They only record disaster-related damage.
- Inspectors do not carry money or ask for money.
- Inspectors never use vehicles bearing a FEMA logo.
“Unfortunately, there are those who try to profit from disasters,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Tom Davies. “We want to make sure citizens of the Commonwealth verify the identities of inspectors, and if the situation seems suspicious, it should be reported to the police.”
Owners and renters must show proof of occupancy such as a valid driver's license or utility bill, and they will also be asked to sign some forms. Owners must also show proof of ownership such as tax receipts, Homeowner’s Insurance Policy (HOI) or deed.
The inspection is free. It generally takes 20-30 minutes and consists of inspecting all areas of your home. The inspector enters information into a hand-held computer that sends the information to FEMA. This speeds up the assistance process. All disaster housing inspectors carry this hand-held computer. It contains information about the person whose household they are inspecting. The computer is only for FEMA programs. It is of no use to anyone else. The inspector cannot determine whether an applicant is eligible for assistance.
Those who have suffered losses as a result of the recent severe storms and flooding but have not yet applied for assistance are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. The counties designated to receive individual assistance are Bradford, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Columbia, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 12-Jul-2006 07:31:29