• Local Emergency Managers Respond
• If local resources are exhausted, local elected officials can declare a local state of emergency and request assistance from the State.
• State Resources Deployed
• If state resources are exhausted:
• Governor declares a state of emergency
• Governor requests assistance from the federal government with Preliminary Damage Assessments or a Presidential major Disaster or Emergency Declaration
• Federal Resources Deployed
• President issues a Major Disaster or an Emergency Declaration

The governor may request a federal disaster declaration, which is formally submitted to the regional FEMA office.

When deciding whether to recommend a federal disaster declaration, FEMA will consider the following:

• Number of homes destroyed or with major damage
• Extent damage is dispersed or concentrated
• Impact on the infrastructure or critical facilities
• Imminent threats to public health and safety
• Impacts to essential government services and functions
• Level of insurance coverage in place for homeowners and public facilities
• Assistance available from other sources
• State and local resource commitments from previous, undeclared events
• Frequency of disaster events over recent time period

FEMA does not provide assistance until there is a Presidential Declaration for Disaster to your state and county in particular.

Q:  How will I know if a disaster declaration has been issued?
A:  A list of Disaster Declarations is available on FEMA's website, and is searchable by state.  You may also contact your local Emergency Management Agency.

Q:  Who do I call to get information?
A:  You may contact your local Emergency Management Agency for further information.  If there is a Disaster Declaration and you need to report damage, choose an option listed below.

Q:  Who do I call to report damage?
A:  You can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov
     You can call by phone 1-800-621-3362
     You can also apply by phone via TTY 1-800-462-7585