FEMA, IEMA, US SBA, and other agencies to assess flood damage in Chicago and Cook County from August for potential funding assistance.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Assessment teams will be surveying parts of Chicago and Cook County that were affected by flooding last month.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have both declared disaster areas to support Chicago residents affected by the flooding that took place from August 16 to 19.

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From Wednesday through Sunday, teams conducting preliminary damage assessments (PDAs), which include representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and local emergency management officials, will visit impacted areas throughout Cook County to assess damage to homes and businesses.

Officials have already gathered the addresses of Chicago city residents who have completed the online survey and reported “Water in Basement” to 311, enabling them to arrange a visit.

Joint PDA teams will determine if the damage qualifies for a state disaster proclamation as well as FEMA or U.S. SBA assistance.

Approved FEMA recovery teams will be asking residents and business owners to take part in joint PDAs.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications emphasizes that while it’s crucial for residents to engage with PDA teams, they should also be cautious of scammers who might exploit storm survivors.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.