The Declaration Process: Requests for Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), Requests for Supplemental Federal Disaster Assistance, Appeals, and Requests for Cost Share Adjustments

When a disaster occurs, the Governor of the state or the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government may request a major disaster declaration or an emergency declaration. The Governor or Chief Executive should submit the request to the President through the appropriate Regional Administrator to ensure prompt acknowledgement and processing. The information obtained by joint Federal, state, and local preliminary damage assessments will be analyzed by FEMA regional senior level staff. The regional summary and the regional analysis and recommendation will include a discussion of state and local resources and capabilities, and other assistance available to meet the disaster related needs. The Administrator of FEMA provides a recommendation to the President and also provides a copy of the Governor’s or Chief Executive’s request. In the event the information required by law is not contained in the request, the Governor’s or Chief Executive’s request cannot be processed and forwarded to the White House. In the event the Governor’s request for a major disaster declaration or an emergency declaration is not granted, the Governor or Chief Executive may appeal the decision.

The latest form for The Declaration Process: Requests for Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), Requests for Supplemental Federal Disaster Assistance, Appeals, and Requests for Cost Share Adjustments expires 2026-06-30 and can be found here.

Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration Major Disaster or Emergency (State Governor)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Disaster Management - Emergency Response

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