In early 2009, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding hit portions of Indiana.

Responding to an application for FEMA assistance, inspector Mark Parr meets with Frank Doty and family to verify reported damage.

So tell me what was it like here. When the flood waters were up, what was it like?

Oh, my lord, it was terrifying.

I mean when they did come out with the boat and dad finally gave up after the  water was in the house and we was splashing through the house with it.

When you're losing your own home like this  it ain't very good.
It's about to kill my dad.

Yeah!

Because he can't come home. I understand. I know how he feels. A lot of people are like that. 

They just want  to be home. They just want to have back their home.

Basically most of the people I deal with just want back what they had.

Okay, do you own a carbon monoxide detector?

No.

A chainsaw?

Yes.

Where was that at?

In the garage.

And that was underwater?

A lot of them have a different appreciation for life if it's been close to where they  just got out.

And, uh so they're generally happy to see ya. They don't know what to expect  from us or who is gonna come?

A lot of work.

Okay, so I have a list of items I need to go over with you.

I come out and gather the data of the damages that happened to the applicant.

We document all the damages, gather all the data and we send it back to FEMA and

they analyze it all and see what they can do according to their guidelines.

They may assume that we actually put dollar figures into their inspection or that we make final decisions.  

We don't do that.

Water actually got up to the top of the garage.

You know when they find out it's real people coming out to see them it really puts  them at ease.

What is that, about seven-eight feet?  Wow.

It's hard to believe that they're here. Come to give a little help.

This is a god-send.

Is there a better job than coming out and helping multiple families on a daily basis?

Thank you.

Sure, I'm glad to do it for you.

God bless you.

It doesn't get any better than that, to come out and help people.

You do everything you can for that person.

You take care of yourself, okay?

We do appreciate the help.

We're happy to be here to do it for you.

This is a miracle.

For more information visit www.fema.gov.