What Should I Expect From FEMA?

If you are wondering what to expect from FEMA when they contact you and come by to inspect, one Youngsville resident shared her experience on Facebook.

Jason and Michelle Cannon (fellow Jeepers!) had about a foot of water in their home, which had never flooded prior.

Michelle blogged her experience on Facebook beginning on August 12, the day the waters began to rise from the rains.  Through the ordeal, she shared information about the different agencies she contacted, and she also shared more personal experiences, including the help she received from neighbors, fellow Jeepers, and total strangers.

In her most informative post about FEMA, she outlines her experience with the agency, its representatives, and shares some advice for others in her situation.

This will be a long post bc so many people are asking about what happens for the FEMA inspection and ours was today so I hope I can give a little insight.
The inspection went great, he was very, very thorough. When he got here he asked us where the water level was outside, then came inside, went to each room one by one and took pictures. He asked and noted each piece of furniture or appliance in every room that was damaged, as well as where doors were. We had cleaned out the sunroom and have been using it for storage, he went ahead and noted all the furniture lost in there and asked for pictures of the damages to the sunroom. Normally sunrooms are not considered part of the house, but since it is considered a media room with electricity and ac, he said he needed to include it. He did ask about the AC, but since it is currently running, he couldn't mark it damaged, but did tell us if it goes out with in a year to call FEMA and see if we can claim it. He was here for a good 1.5hrs going through literally everything and asking us many many questions on damages and such. Now we had friends inspected earlier this week and their inspector did not ask for pictures, but ours did. So each one may be different, please be aware of that.
Also today we had the Code Department come by and look at the house. Ours was quick since water did not get into the electrical sockets. He looked at the walls and said we are good and dry. You do need this certificate for FEMA to approve you from what he told me.
We also do not have flood insurance, so you will also need a certificate stating this. FEMA did ask for proof that we reside here, which I showed him a bill and a driver's license so he was content with that. If you do have flood, I'm not sure how that process will be.
The last thing he told us, it will take 24-48hrs for us to know what FEMA will approve us on. If we need additional funds, we have an opportunity to apply with SBA and recieve a low apr loan.
All in all, I really felt he was here to help us. He was a retired contractor from Tennessee who does this on the side because he enjoys helping others. They called him 1am Friday morning, he drove in shortly after, had briefings all day Saturday and has been inspecting homes all day since. He said as far as he knows, he is the only guy in Youngsville right now. So please be patient if you are in this area.
The best news.... since we had everything regarding paperwork, he told us to start rolling with getting the house back together!! So sheet rock will start Monday!!!! - Michelle D Cannon, Facebook

Of course, not everyone will have the same experience, but Michelle was eager to let share hers for those who had no idea what to expect (which would be most people in the area, as it hasn't flooded like this in our lifetime).

(Facebook/Michelle Cannon)