Joint State/Federal Preliminary Damage Assessment Teams Visit Flood-Damaged Communities
Release Date: November 13, 2006
Release Number: R10-06-047
SEATTLE, Wash. -- At the request of Washington State, the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are deploying joint State/Federal Preliminary Disaster Assessment (PDA) Teams to Washington communities affected by last week's floods, landslides and high winds.
According to WEMD Director Jim Mullen, six to eight teams will begin assessing damage to homes and property on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and continue through the weekend. The teams will include local and state officials as well as representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration and FEMA.
"Joint PDA teams will visit and inspect damaged areas, document damage and talk, as needed, with homeowners and local officials," said Mullen. "It's a partnership effort designed to provide a clear picture of the extent and locations of damage in counties that have reported the most substantial damage to primary residences and businesses."
"The PDA teams look at the total scope of damage to establish if recovery is beyond the capabilities and resources of state and local governments. The PDA doesn't determine the total cost of recovery, nor does it guarantee a Presidential declaration for individual assistance," said FEMA Regional Director Susan Reinertson.
Additional PDA Teams will be dispatched Nov. 27 to inspect damage to public buildings, property and infrastructure.
FEMA manages Federal response and recovery efforts following national incidents. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with local and State 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: Tuesday, 14-Nov-2006 08:48:42