FEMA damage assessments begin in Black Mountain Oct. 14
In partnership with FEMA, North Carolina building inspectors will be conducting damage assessments during the week of October 14. What does that mean for you?
North Carolina building inspectors and members of the Red Cross will be assessing structures in the Black Mountain area. A damage assessment focuses on estimating the extent of damage to infrastructure, public services, and residential and commercial properties, including but not limited to the determination if a building is safe to enter.
A damage assessment is:
Broad and Community-Focused: It looks at the overall scope of damage to inform government agencies and guide disaster response efforts.
Quick and High-Level: It is designed to be completed rapidly to facilitate timely decision-making and resource allocation.
Categorizing: It often categorizes damage as minor, major, or destroyed, providing an overview, not an in-depth analysis.
Prioritizing: It is designed to quickly determine areas with the most severe damage to prioritize recovery efforts.
A FEMA housing inspector explains the inspection process
A damage assessment is not:
NOT a detailed insurance report: It does not provide the information required for property owners to file insurance claims. Insurance adjusters require specific documentation, valuations, and photographs that go beyond the scope of a damage assessment.
NOT a permitting document: Property owners typically need detailed engineering reports, technical data, or structural evaluations for permitting purposes, particularly when rebuilding. A damage assessment doesn’t provide that level of detail.
Facts about FEMA home inspections
Inspectors plan to visit every home, but that does NOT mean they will be making contact with every homeowner as some assessments can be conducted outside, especially on houses without major damage.
While damage assessments help guide overall recovery efforts, property owners still need to pursue separate reports (from insurance adjusters, engineers, or contractors) to handle their personal claims, repairs, or rebuilds.
FAQ: Do you have to wait for a FEMA home inspection or insurance adjuster to begin clean-up and repairs?
No, you don’t have to wait.
CLICK HERE to view the Fact Sheet about what to expect after applying with FEMA.
CLICK HERE to view the FEMA Fact Sheet, “Don’t Wait to Clean Up After a Storm.”
FAQ: Do I need to file a claim with my insurance? What if I don’t have insurance?
If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company when you apply for FEMA assistance because FEMA cannot aid with losses covered by insurance. If your insurance doesn’t cover all your losses or is delayed, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance regarding your unmet needs. If you do not have insurance, there is a process for FEMA to verify your disaster-caused losses.
Whether or not you have insurance, it is recommended that you create an online FEMA Disaster Assistance Center account. There, you can review your disaster assistance application, provide updates pertaining to your personal information and needs, view messaging sent to you by FEMA, and more.
For information about additional resources, visit our Emergency Assistance page.
