Louisiana homeowners with storm damage are being asked to upload photos online as the state works to document losses from recent severe weather.
Gov. Jeff Landry asked residents with damage to submit images through damage.la.gov, according to KALB.
The images will go to Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and help the state apply for FEMA aid.
The request comes after the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur brought flooding to multiple Louisiana communities. KALB also reported that confirmed tornadoes touched down in the state.
The State Wants Clear Photos From Several Angles
KALB reported that homeowners should take multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of specific damage and wider images that show the whole structure.
Blurry, blocked, or overly tight photos can be less useful. A clear image should help officials understand what was damaged, where the damage happened, and how much of the home or property was affected.
The state’s damage survey is for residential and commercial damage after a significant weather event or disaster.
The Photos Can Support a FEMA Request
GOHSEP says preliminary damage assessments document the impact and magnitude of a disaster on individuals, families, businesses, and public infrastructure.
Those assessments can influence a governor’s request for a presidential emergency or disaster declaration. GOHSEP says FEMA and state teams also use damage information to evaluate Individual Assistance and Public Assistance needs.
Individual Assistance looks at factors such as damaged or destroyed homes, concentration of damage, deaths or injuries, disruption of normal community functions, power or water loss, insurance coverage, and the needs of vulnerable populations.
Homeowners Should Document Before Cleanup
FloodSmart, the National Flood Insurance Program’s public site, advises homeowners to take clear photos and videos of damaged items before cleaning, fixing, or throwing them out.
That documentation should include wide shots and close-ups of walls, floors, furniture, appliances, and other damaged items. FloodSmart also recommends recording serial numbers from electronics and appliances when possible.
Homeowners should save repair receipts and keep small samples of damaged materials for the insurance adjuster, such as carpet, drywall, flooring, or insulation.
Safety comes first after flooding, tornado damage, or severe storms. If a home has standing water, structural damage, gas concerns, downed power lines, or electrical hazards, residents should wait until it is safe to enter before taking photos.