FEMA wants damage records

People cleaning up after last month's storms are being asked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to document the damage to their property so authorities can get a clear picture of how the area was affected.

Aric Schmidt, a spokesman for FEMA in Chicago, said people should take pictures and video and keep all receipts associated with the cleanup of damaged homes.

He said that documentation is important should the federal government declare the region a federal disaster area.

"It really is a good idea to keep all receipts, take as many pictures as possible and use a video camera where necessary to capture and document all damages," he said. "Also, people who hire contractors to repair homes should be careful of being swindled. Check references before hiring someone."

Representatives from FEMA will be touring Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and DeKalb counties, which were deemed the hardest hit by last month's flooding and storms.

There is no timetable on how long FEMA will be in the area, or where they will be on any given day.

Rosemarie Hunter, a spokeswoman for the FEMA group touring Lake County, said her team will visit unincorporated county areas near Antioch, Lake Zurich and Barrington throughout the day Wednesday.

"We will continue to check addresses that the emergency managers of the county have given us," she said. "We are truly committed to getting an accurate assessment of the damages here in Lake County."

FEMA representatives toured Fox Lake and parts of Antioch Township after arriving in Lake County Tuesday.

Schmidt said teams are out in the field to determine if individuals will qualify for assistance from the federal government, or if entire counties should be declared federal disaster areas.

Individuals qualifying for assistance might be able to get low-interest loans to help repair damaged homes and property. Also, people could be eligible for grants of up to $26,000.

If a county is declared a federal disaster area, then municipalities and counties could request money to pay for bridges, roads and other government-owned property that was damaged.

FEMA representatives are asking people to not shy away from them when their caravan rolls up to inspect damages.

"We want people to talk to us," Hunter said. "We need to assess the damage thoroughly so we will tour every home and speak to as many people as possible."