Building and Code Departments Conduct Preliminary Damage Assessment

The City of Palm Coast Building and Code Departments conducted “Windshield” Assessments on Thursday and Friday as part of our post-hurricane recovery efforts. Eighteen dedicated inspectors and four support staff dedicated a day and a half to accelerating this process.

This process involves building inspectors and other city personnel driving through affected neighborhoods to visually assess the exteriors of homes and primary structures from the street without entering the properties. The goal is to gather rapid, preliminary information on structural damage that can help determine the level of assistance needed for the community.

Key points of the Preliminary Damage Assessment:

1. Primary Focus: The assessment focuses on identifying visible damage to homes' primary structures, such as roofs, walls, and foundations. This includes looking for signs of structural compromise, such as collapsed roofs, significant siding damage, or shifts in the building’s foundation.
2. Quick Information to FEMA: By conducting these assessments quickly, we can gather essential data to provide FEMA with an early understanding of the damage in our community. This allows FEMA to determine the scale of mobilization they need to send to our area, including resources like temporary housing, disaster relief supplies, and personnel to assist with recovery efforts.
3. Initial Determination of Funding: The information collected through the “Windshield Assessment” helps inform FEMA’s preliminary assessment of the disaster's severity, which is critical in the early stages of determining potential disaster relief funding for both the city and individual homeowners. The faster we provide this data, the quicker FEMA can begin processing the financial assistance required for our recovery.
4. Non-Intrusive and Fast: This method allows the city to assess a large number of homes in a short period without requiring residents to be present or granting inspectors access. It is a visual-only assessment, which ensures efficiency while prioritizing safety for both inspectors and residents.

By utilizing this approach, the City of Palm Coast can expedite the recovery process, ensuring residents get the help they need as quickly as possible while laying the groundwork for federal assistance.

After completing the Preliminary Damage Assessment, it was determined that 102 homes were affected. The majority of these homes had minor cosmetic damage. Nineteen homes sustained minor but repairable, non-structural damage. Two homes suffered major damage, with 40-80% of the structure affected, primarily due to trees penetrating the structure.

As we move into the next phase of recovery, residents will have the ability to report additional damage that may not have been captured during this initial assessment. There will be opportunities for more detailed evaluations if there are issues with your home or property that are not visible from the street.

To report storm-related damage to your home's structure or water intrusion inside, visit PalmCoast.gov/Connect and submit a case under the Storm Damage icon. Please only report damage to the main structure of your home—this excludes sheds, screens, and fences. For water intrusion due to Hurricane Milton, only include water that has entered the living areas of your home, not garages, lanais, porches, or pool enclosures. Accurate reporting helps us better assess recovery needs.

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