Hamilton County Emergency Management teams begin flood damage assessments

Hamilton County Emergency Management (HCEM) staff and volunteers are in the field assessing damage caused by last week’s flooding, the first step in a three-step process that could ultimately help determine whether federal assistance is available.

Teams began conducting initial assessments Tuesday and are working neighborhood by neighborhood to document damage to homes and property. Volunteers were in the Riverwood neighborhood Wednesday and will be working each day until they are done.

Peterson

“We really need residents to take a few minutes to talk with our teams when they see us in their neighborhood,” says Monica Peterson, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for HCEM. “The more complete picture we can provide of what happened here, the stronger the case we can make as we move through the state and federal assessment process.”

The local damage assessments are the first of three levels of review. Once the County completes its initial assessments, it will conduct a second assessment with the State of Indiana and a third with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Residents should not wait for an assessment team to begin documenting their damage or contacting their insurance company. They are encouraged to keep photos and other records showing the extent of flooding and damage to their property.

Photo provided