CONTACT LOCAL OFFICIALS BEFORE REBUILDING
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/contact-local-officials-rebuilding] 

Release Date: 
6月 15, 2024 

Like all natural disasters, tornadoes, severe storms, and floods can
end up causing massive destruction to homes, property and
infrastructure. Typically, these storms can cause the greatest damage
to structures of light construction, including some residential and
manufactured homes.

Mitigation measures are available to improve personal safety and
reduce or eliminate the risk of future damages to structures and
personal property. FEMA building specialists can give you information
on how to repair, retrofit, or rebuild your home to be safer and
stronger before the next disaster.

Rebuilding 

Every part of a building — from roofs, walls and siding to plumbing,
septic systems and heating/air conditioning systems — may require a
permit before you start to rebuild. A permit may also be needed for
demolition.

Permits protect owners, residents, communities and buildings by making
sure repairs and/or construction meet current building codes,
standards, floodplain ordinances and construction techniques. Permits
also provide a permanent record of compliance with elevation and/or
retrofitting requirements, which is valuable information when selling
the structure or obtaining flood insurance coverage. 

Local Building Officials

Before beginning repairs or rebuilding, always check with local
building official:

	* Building codes, permits, inspection requirements, and zoning
ordinances may be involved.
	* A floodplain ordinance will affect rebuilding when the structure
has sustained substantial damage and is situated in a floodplain.

Building officials will reinforce the point that only licensed
professionals are qualified to perform structural repair or structural
mitigation work.

Mitigation Topics to Consider

Roof Design

Roof failures are a common cause of major damage to buildings and
their contents from high winds. There are mitigation measures that can
be taken to reduce potential roof damage.

These mitigation measures include:

	* Designing Wind-resistant Roofs
	* Reinforcing Gable Roof Ends
	* Securing Sheathing Properly
	* Installing Shingles Properly

Breach Points

Exterior doors and windows are the weakest parts of a structure’s
outer shell. If they are broken or blown in, high winds can enter a
structure and create internal pressures which act on the roof and
walls, resulting in serious damage. Once the structure is breached,
wind, debris, and rain can damage the interior of the structure or
injure any person inside.

Breach point mitigation measures include:

	* Reinforcing Garage Doors
	* Securing Double-entry Doors
	* Installing Impact-resistant Glass

Speak to a Specialist

Call 833-FEMA-4-US or 833-336-2487 to speak to a Mitigation Specialist
about your needs, experiences, and how you can repair, retrofit, or
rebuild safer and stronger. You may also reach a specialist by email
at FEMA-ARMit@fema.dhs.gov. 

Look Online for Resources

Visit https://fema.cosocloud.com/armit/ or
https://fema.cosocloud.com/ar-es-mit/ for Spanish. 

Be Aware

If proper permits are not obtained, residents may be subject to
stop-work orders, fines or penalties. Some communities may choose to
waive permit fees but permits themselves cannot be waived.

FEMA does not recommend or endorse contractors, and officials warn
people to be leery of contractors who claim they are authorized by
FEMA. They are not.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4788]. Follow FEMA Region 6 at
X.com/FEMARegion6 [https://twitter.com/FEMARegion6] or on Facebook at
facebook.com/FEMARegion6/ [https://www.facebook.com/FEMARegion6/].