Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency begins Initial Damanage Assessment

Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Patricia Fisher and the Newbury Police Department would like to share that Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has initiated an Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) process for parts of the Commonwealth.  Last week’s storms caused significant damage throughout Massachusetts, including flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. 

Plum Island and other parts of the state near bodies of water suffered immense flooding.MEMA initiated the IDA process to determine whether the Commonwealth and its communities are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance under the Presidential Disaster declaration.  The IDA process was declared for the storms on Jan. 10, 13 and 14.MEMA is currently collecting data by utilizing an online IDA survey that can be filled out by residents, homeowners, renters, or business owners who were affected by the storm.  The information collected through the survey will be used to determine whether the Commonwealth is eligible to request federal disaster assistance under the Individual Assistance or Small Business Administration's programs and whether there is a basis for engaging in the second step of the eligibility process. 

Newbury Police and Newbury Emergency Management Director Fisher would like to encourage Newbury residents and business owners who suffered storm damage, loss of structure or property or who incurred expenses with water removal, to please complete this online survey form here.Individuals who do not have access to the internet or who need additional assistance can call 211 or 877-211-6277.This form must be completed by Jan. 23. For more information, please contact Chief Fisher at p.fisher@newburypolice.com.