Presidential Disaster Declaration Process

Local entities will document and communicate their initial damage assessment to DEMA, which will compile the information and validate the damage. If the damage is extensive enough, exceeding the capacity of the state to recover, DEMA will request FEMA to conduct a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) within the impacted areas. Following the validation of damages, the Governor will submit a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration (PDD) to the US President within 30 days from the Incident occurrence day.

Not every incident will result in the need for a PDA or federal assistance.