FEMA’s damage assessment may be different than your own

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been a hard road for residents in Columbus after an EF3 tornado tore through the city.

The damage has been assessed, and a federal declaration is still pending.

But what happens during that process?

When taking a look at the damage left behind from the Columbus tornado many homes and businesses appear to be destroyed.

But EMA Director Cindy Lawrence said FEMA might see it a different way.

“You may be walking on the street and say this is the total loss to you, but when FEMA comes in, they look at a total loss, a destroyed house a little bit different than the way we look at a destroyed house. We see a roof that’s completely gone. We say the house is destroyed. FEMA may come in and say, no, the house is not destroyed, that house is major damage,” said Lawrence.

The three categories FEMA looks at are major and minor damage and destroyed.

One of the buildings that may look destroyed is Hunt Intermediate school, but that isn’t the case.

“That would be considered maybe more major damage because it’s not all the school, its just a portion of the building that’s basically where they were housing the students that were attending there now, so that’s more like a major damage that is done to that school,” said Lawrence.

And those categories play a role outside of FEMA.

Insurance companies also take a look.

“Your insurance representative usually comes out, and they will determine if it is major, minor, or destroyed. There have been some houses, I’ve talked to some homeowners, the homes have been declared a total loss, therefore, you have to come in and do the demolition of the property. I have gone around, I’ve seen where some houses have been demoed,” said Lawrence.

While residents may feel like they’re playing the waiting game, Lawrence wants them to know that there’s still someone looking out for them.

“Please, I know it’s been like a long time, this is going into our sixth week, and I’m still saying we’re here. We’re not gone. We haven’t forgotten you. We know the condition of the city and the county. We are here, we are working, you may not see me on the street every day, but I promise you I am working feverishly to get that declaration here in Lowndes County,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence told WCBI their next step is finding out what people still need.

She said the needs have shifted from food and water to furniture and appliances.