TOPEKA —As a result of a series of severe storms that struck the state in May, the state of Kansas has started joint Public Assistance Program Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) conducted by FEMA Region VII and Kansas Division of Emergency Management staff, according to a media release from the state.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding caused damage or loss in the following Kansas counties: Bourbon, Cheyenne, Edwards, Gove, Kiowa, Logan, Pratt, Reno, Scott, Sheridan, and Stafford.
The PDA teams will assess damages to public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and utilities, to determine if those counties meet federal damage thresholds to qualify for federal disaster assistance.
The Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) process is a crucial step in evaluating disaster-related damages within affected communities. The main goal of this process is to gather information that helps FEMA determine whether a disaster declaration should be recommended to the President. Ultimately, it is the President’s decision to determine whether to declare a major presidential disaster declaration.
The data collected during a PDA plays a significant role in determining whether a state may make a formal request for a Presidential disaster declaration. If a Presidential disaster declaration is granted, the declaration outlines which geographic areas qualify for federal disaster assistance and the specific types of aid made available. Additionally, the PDA process can contribute to shaping long-term recovery strategies, ensuring that affected communities receive the resources they need to rebuild and recover efficiently.