Property Damaged by Severe Weather? Report It!

Bufkinite@evpl — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Hoosiers who sustained substantial property damage caused by severe weather - including wind and flooding from recent Aug. 4 storms - are urged to report those losses online or by calling toll free 1-866-210-1925.

Reports by phone should be made between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The toll-free number will be in operation through Tuesday, Aug. 18. When calling, provide a name, address, phone number, what caused the damage and type of property damage (such as structural and/or loss of personal property).

Or, you can visit www.in.gov/dhs and report damage online at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's Web site.

This information will help local emergency management agencies and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security determine if federal assistance is needed in the state. After this first step is taken, the governor can declare a state of emergency and use the National Guard's military resources.

If the state determines the recovery is beyond its resources, a request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a preliminary damage assessment can be made. FEMA personnel then join state and local representatives and conduct damage assessments and submit their findings to the governor's office.

If the state determines from those findings that a full recovery is beyond its capabilities, the governor can submit a written request to the President of the United States asking for federal aid under a major disaster or emergency declaration. FEMA's director also provides the President with an analysis of the disaster conditions and a recommendation on the needed course of action.

At that point, FEMA would either advise the governor of a denial of the request for federal aid or the President would declare a major disaster or emergency exists in the state.

But it all has to begin with individuals bringing to the attention of government the damage that they've suffered as a result of storms, so use the toll-free number or web site listed above to report any storm damages your property may have suffered.

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Property Damaged by Severe Weather? Report It!