State And Local Officials Begin Damage Assessments As Floodwaters Recede

Last updated on Sunday, March 4, 2018

(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) today announced that staff from the agency’s Division of Fire and Building Safety, Division of Response and Recovery, local officials, and volunteers from the American Red Cross are assessing damage to buildings in the aftermath of heavy rain and flooding that began February 15.

Damage assessment teams are deployed statewide in areas where floodwaters have receded sufficiently to allow for safe building inspections. Once assessments are complete in these areas, teams will continue to other affected areas as water levels across the state return to normal.

Damage assessments are a key part of the multi-step process to qualify for federal assistance. IDHS encourages Indiana residents to report uninsured damage through the online portal at http://bit.ly/2018rainfall.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a disaster declaration due to flooding that currently includes 22 Indiana counties, including Benton, Carroll, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, Lake, Marshall, Ohio, Perry, Pulaski, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Warrick, and White counties. Flooding has destroyed or severely damaged homes, businesses, structures, and infrastructure.

State and local damage assessments are ongoing. If a state of disaster or emergency is declared, and if the Governor determines the extent of damage indicates full recovery is beyond the capabilities of the state and local governments, the Governor submits a written request to the President asking that federal assistance be provided under a major disaster or emergency declaration.

Double Check Before You Write a Check

In the aftermath of flooding and other natural disasters, property owners are vulnerable -- making perfect targets for scammers pretending to offer help cleaning up wreckage and making necessary repairs. Many people will attempt to reach out and offer a helping hand. With this comes the likelihood that restoration or home repair companies - some legitimate, some not - will also try to contact those affected the most. To avoid falling victim to a scam, keep the following tips in mind:

Avoid agreeing to any repair or restoration work on the spot during initial contact with someone offering services - this includes contracts.
Avoid signing any legally binding agreements without first gathering information and researching a business being represented.
Obtain information about the individual offering his or her services. Research the company the individual claims to represent. Look for signs of credibility such as an official website. Seek reviews and testimonials from former customers.

Indiana residents are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General if they believe they have been scammed, or suspect someone may be trying to scam them after a severe weather event. You can file a complaint by visiting www.in.gov/attorneygeneral or calling 1-800-382-5516.

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