Substantial Damage Estimates: Accelerating Disaster Recovery

Following a flooding event, one of the first and most critical steps in the recovery process is collecting and managing the data required to make Substantial Damage determinations. Although it’s a requirement for most communities, particularly those participating in the Community Rating System, it’s not always easy, and making mistakes in the process can have significant consequences. 

For example, earlier this year, several communities faced the threat of being downgraded in the CRS due to concerns about SI/SD tracking and enforcement after Hurricane Ian, which would have resulted in a reduction of the community’s 25% discount on flood insurance (meaning much more expensive premiums for residents and property owners). While there are tools out there designed to help officials collect and manage the data required to make Substantial Damage determinations, few offer a truly seamless and efficient way to complete these reports.  

Forerunner has launched a new Substantial Damage Estimate (SDE) feature that can help communities accelerate their disaster recovery. By combining FEMA’s Substantial Damage Estimator logic with property-level data, this new feature can help communities complete Substantial Damage Estimates quicker and more easily, and the digital collaboration enables entire teams to communicate quickly and accurately as dynamic situations unfold - whether you’re in the field, or in the office. 

Simply by inputting information about how the structure is built, the degree of damage, and the cost per square foot to rebuild, Forerunner creates a Substantial Determination Summary to provide to FEMA and property owners to keep on record. Available on mobile, desktop, and even when you’re offline, Substantial Damage Estimates can be completed in the field and reviewed in real time. 

Forerunner’s Substantial Damage Estimate tool includes even more features that can enable post-disaster work, including Preliminary Damage Assessments, Custom Warnings, Public websites, and Tables. While existing SDE tools are a good start, Forerunner’s new tool adds an additional layer of utility that can make an often daunting task of creating Substantial Damage Estimates a lot easier.