FEMA to review Mich. flood damage, need for aid

DETROIT — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will begin preliminary assessments Tuesday of the damage caused by a historic flood that left parts of metro Detroit swamped, shut down freeways and flooded thousands of homes.

FEMA's Monday announcement follows a request submitted by Gov. Rick Snyder last week seeking the agency's help.

The FEMA assessments must take place before the state can officially ask for a disaster declaration from President Barack Obama.

Six teams will canvass Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to assess and validate the damage against federal assistance eligibility criteria.

The team members will be wearing shirts with agency names and logos displayed, and personnel will have credentials visible.

FEMA will work with the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local officials, according to a FEMA news release.

FEMA spokeswoman Sandy Jasmund said officials will meet Tuesday morning to determine where the teams will go to assess the damage.

"The state and local officials will be taking us around in the tri-county area," she said. "We don't necessarily have to go into every home, but we'll be going around to different neighborhoods. If the owner or renter is there, we'll be happy to talk to them."

When considering eligibility for federal individual assistance — or assistance for homeowners, renters and business owners — damage assessment teams consider seven factors:

• Size and scope of damage as well as threat to public safety.

• Number of primary homes requiring extensive repairs or with structural damage.

• Duplication of benefits.

• Number and length of time people are displaced.

• Ability of the community to recover.

• Voluntary agency/state program assistance available.

• Extent of the business losses.

According to FEMA, the teams will take note of details such as water depth, structural integrity of buildings, damage to mechanical components such as furnaces or water heaters, insurance coverage in place, length of time the floodwater has been in a home, and materials used to build the dwelling.

Floodwater or sewer backup damages in recreational rooms, unoccupied basements or storage spaces usually do not qualify for FEMA assistance, according to the release.

The teams will also attempt to determine whether the community has adequate housing to meet the needs of displaced residents for the time it takes to repair their home.

The Small Business Administration will assess damage to businesses in affected communities. If a federal declaration is made, the SBA can make low-interest loans available to assist businesses as well as homeowners and renters with their recovery costs.

Jasmund said after the assessments are completed, FEMA will collect and analyze the data and return it to the state of Michigan. At that point, state officials will use the damage totals and impact data to determine whether the disaster can warrant Snyder requesting a federal declaration and assistance.

Jasmund said if a federal declaration is granted, individual assistance might be given to homeowners and business owners, as well as public assistance for government entities.

Several communities across metro Detroit reported significant damage after the flooding Aug. 11.

In Warren, Mayor Jim Fouts said more than 18,000 homes were damaged. City halls and businesses in the region were among buildings with reports of up to several feet of floodwater.

Flooding also caused extensive damage on I-75, I-94 and the I-75/I-696 interchange.

Last week, the Federal Highway Administration announced an award of $750,000 to offset the state's costs for initial repairs to roads damaged by the floods.