Agencies to Conduct Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for Aug. 11 - 12 Storms

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments will help determine whether storm damage meets the criteria for potential federal disaster assistance

As Cook County residents and businesses continue to recover and rebuild following a series of severe storms that impacted the region this month, joint teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Illinois Emergency Management Agency – Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) will be in affected areas of Cook County Monday, Aug. 31 through Thursday, Sept. 3 to assess damage from the Aug. 11 - 12 severe storms.

Local, state and federal agencies will conduct joint preliminary damage assessments (JPDAs) by visiting areas impacted by the recent storms to document damage to homes and businesses. Residents may see assessment teams going door-to-door. Team members will only assess exterior damage and will not enter homes or businesses. They will carry official identification and there is no charge for the assessment. Information collected will help state and federal officials determine the extent of the damage and whether Cook County may qualify for additional federal disaster assistance.

“Our communities have been working hard to recover from the damage caused by these storms, and we want to make sure we have a complete understanding of the impact,” said Alex Joves, executive director, EMRS. “This assessment is an important part of that process. Cook County remains committed to working alongside our municipal, state and federal partners to support our communities and pursue every available avenue of assistance.”