Michigan Gov. Snyder requests damage assessment for 3 counties

Request is next step toward seeking federal assistance in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Rick Snyder asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) with state and local officials on Friday. This examination was requested to review damages and response costs caused by last week's rain and flooding in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Snyder's request follows the end of his initial local damage assessments and is the next key step toward requesting and being eligible for federal assistance.

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"By requesting a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, we are continuing on the path toward the potential request of a presidential disaster declaration for Southeast Michigan," Snyder said. "This assessment is critical to help confirm reported damages and make our case to the federal government for assistance to our affected communities and Michiganders."

A joint PDA estimates the extent, severity and impact of the disaster on individuals, businesses and public facilities. Joint PDA teams made up of personnel from the FEMA, Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD), local governments, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be in affected communities gathering information for several days.

Teams will collect estimated response and recovery costs, including the number of damaged buildings, displaced people and any threats to health and safety caused by the storm.

Snyder declared a "state of disaster" on Aug. 13 for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, making all state resources available in cooperation with local response and recovery efforts in the disaster area.