The Michigan State Police (MSP), Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will join the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration, and local officials this week to conduct damage assessments in areas hit hardest by the March ice storm, according to a Tuesday news release from MSP.

The teams will complete joint preliminary damage assessments to determine the storm’s full impact on homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. The results will help the state evaluate whether to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which could open the door to federal aid.

Damage assessments will take place in two phases:

Today through Friday: Teams will evaluate impacts to homes and businesses for potential FEMA Individual Assistance programs.

Monday through May 2: Teams will assess damage to public infrastructure and response costs for potential FEMA Public Assistance.

Joint teams will be deployed to Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.

The SBA’s presence means low-interest disaster loans may be available to qualifying homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits. SBA representatives will identify properties with uninsured damage of at least 40% of their pre-disaster value.

Not every affected property will be visited. Assessment teams will focus on the areas determined by local officials to have the most severe impacts. However, all locally reported damage will be considered in the final evaluation.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to continue reporting damage to their local emergency management agency. A self-reporting tool is also available at michigan.gov/icestorm.