After torrential rain swept through Alabama over the Christmas holidays, many areas around the state are still assessing the damage, or waiting for flood waters to recede.

State officials say properly documenting the damage to both public and private property can be the difference between receiving financial assistance, and not, whether it be from insurance companies or the government.

“Property owners need to document damage to homes, etc. with pictures, and then report that damage to the Red Cross or the local EMA so an assessment can be made of that damage,” said State Senator Paul Bussman (R-Cullman). “All of the damage estimates will be combined to determine what sources of aid are available.”

After a conference call with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner, State Representative Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) explained why documenting the damage is so important to each area’s recovery efforts.

“The state is trying to meet a $6.7 million dollar damage threshold for FEMA to get involved,” he said. “If FEMA gets involved, then there is a 75% FEMA match and 25% state.” Of that 25%, Wadsworth explained, “the state will pay 12.5% and local, city and county (governments) will pay the other 12.5%. The $6.7 million assessment includes county, city and local infrastructure.

“In addition, individuals or businesses who have damage to homes and properties… can provide (their) damage assessment,” he continued. “Counties and cities provide the damage assessment to the local EMA office for each county. Any public damages should be reported. The reports are important and provided to local EMA office, so they can be reported to the state for (the) purpose of meeting the $6.7 million dollar threshold. Damage assessments can not be complete until the water has receded.”

To find contact information for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s local office near you, click here. The Alabama Region of the Red Cross can be reached at 205.439.7800.