BUFFALO, N.Y. — City of Buffalo officials say they had about 20 inspectors from their office of Permits and Inspections out to survey damage in the hardest hit neighborhood areas from the EF-1 tornado.
2 On Your Side also got some insurance insight from a local broker because of what he says is a really tight market for claims.
Neighbors saw those inspectors out on the affected streets of Buffalo's West Side.
Permits and Inspection Commissioner Catherine Amdur says "We went through the affected area and identified anything that was dangerous. There's going to be a more thorough examination of you know missing siding, smaller things but it's really about hazards at this point."
The actual structural damage list is fortunately somewhat limited with an estimate so far from Mayor Byron Brown of $2.5 Million. And there were only a few temporary relocations for residents.
Amdur explained "We had three significant roof damage instances. 15 electrical lines, nine chimneys, and then some additional damage."
Hazard areas with unstable elements like falling bricks and damaged trees have been cordoned off at this point.
Experts say damaged roofs should be secured to prevent any water from getting in.
Some property owners may think about their homeowner's insurance, but insurance broker Craig Willoughby of Willoughby Insurance says to really think twice about filing a claim because inflation with higher re-building costs has also hit hard for the insurance industry.
"If it's gonna be a claim make sure it's one that you need to make. You know think about your deductible. Think about what you're paying out of pocket anyways before you notify the insurance company about making a claim. And then weigh out the balance... Weigh out can you afford it? Can you afford to pay this much of a loss or is it gonna make a dent in your lifestyle."
Willoughby adds "The minute your first claim comes through there's a really good chance your insurance carrier is gonna non-renew you when you come up for renewal. And then when you go to the market and you got a claim on your homeowner's insurance and you're looking for new insurance - a ton of the market won't even respond."
Mayor Brown says his staff is conferring with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer's office but there are certain thresholds for federal assistance to be available and the damage estimate is again limited so far.
Federal Small Business Administration low-interest loans have been mentioned to assist previous tornado victims elsewhere like the town of Eden but there are also required minimums.