North Carolina residents with damage and losses from Hurricane Florence are encouraged to follow up with FEMA to ensure a timely inspection and keep their recovery on track.
Following these tips will help make the process of scheduling an inspection as smooth as possible:
- Make sure FEMA has up-to-date contact information.
- This information can be updated online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the Disaster Assistance Helpline at (800) 621-3362 (voice, 711 or Voice Relay Service), TTY: (800) 462-7585, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a center go to: fema.gov/DRC. You can also visit a center in South Carolina if it is closer.
- Answer all calls even if you don’t recognize the number. Contracted inspectors may be calling from unfamiliar area codes.
- Be willing to work with the inspector to schedule the earliest available appointment.
- Respond as soon as possible to any “Sorry I missed you” letters or communications regarding your inspection.
If your home was found to be inaccessible at the time of inspection and you must reschedule, you must let FEMA know when the home is accessible and request a new inspection to be issued.
- To update your information, call the Disaster Assistance Helpline at (800) 621-3362.
- Once the status of your home is updated and your request for a new inspection has been made, know that it may take from 3 to 7 days for a FEMA-contracted inspector to contact you to schedule your inspection.
When the inspector arrives:
- Ask for official identification. The badge should include the inspector’s name and photo.
- Be aware of fraud. Inspectors will have your case number and details about your property.
- Be prepared. Inspectors assess and verify serious damage caused by the disaster. There is no inspection fee. Generally, the inspection lasts about 45 minutes or less.
To date, FEMA inspectors have completed more than 80,000 home inspections in North Carolina.
For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit NCDPS.gov/NCEM and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393. Follow us on Twitter: @NCEmergency and
@FEMARegion4.
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