Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) Teams to Visit Residents Impacted by Aug. 16–19 Flooding, Wednesday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 7
Residents should also be aware of fraud and scams and are encouraged to watch for and report any suspicious activity
CHICAGO — City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued respective disaster proclamations to assist residents recovering from flooding that took place Aug. 16–19. By signing these proclamations, the City of Chicago and Cook County can pursue all available resources to assist communities and residents in their recovery efforts.
From Wednesday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 7, preliminary damage assessment (PDA) teams will go door-to-door in impacted areas of the City of Chicago and Cook County. If any resident or business sustained damage from the Aug. 16–19 storms and flooding, a quick in-person review of the level of damage is key to allowing the state of Illinois to request federal disaster recovery assistance.
The PDA teams will include representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local emergency management personnel. The teams are surveying details of damage to homes and possessions, which could include HVAC systems and water heaters, so that IEMA can pursue all potential avenues of assistance.
While meeting with PDA teams is important, IEMA-OHS cautions residents to be wary of scam artists who may prey upon storm survivors.
Facts about joint PDAs:
- Team members will include FEMA, SBA, IEMA-OHS and local emergency management staff from Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications
- Joint PDA staff will have photo ID
- Teams do not enter your home
- PDA teams do not use contractors or ask for payment for anything. See more at:
- Bilingual staff will be available
- There will be multiple teams working across the city and County
- Data collection is for the city and County to qualify for assistance, so don’t worry if you don’t get a visit
- Contact your homeowner or renter’s insurance to learn if you are covered, and if so, by how much
- If you live in the City of Chicago and haven’t already reported “Water in Basement” to 3-1-1, do so now
Recovery teams have been approved by FEMA. They will be asking homeowners, renters and business owners with damage to take part in the joint PDAs if available. For residents in the City of Chicago, if you have already filled out the online survey and reported “Water in Basement” to 3-1-1, officials already have your address to schedule a visit.
Joint PDAs will help determine if there was enough damage to qualify for a state disaster proclamation as well as FEMA or SBA assistance. While you might think an SBA loan isn’t for you, these low-interest, long-term loans can help homeowners and renters with disaster recovery costs.
The City of Chicago and Cook County continue to collaborate with nonprofit organizations and agencies to ensure resident needs are being met in the aftermath of the flood. Additionally, OEMC, the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and IEMA will continue to coordinate recovery efforts across impacted communities and pursue all available disaster assistance.