Per 44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1), to be eligible for financial assistance, an item of work must be required as the result of the emergency or major disaster event. While the PA Guide, at 29, provides that damage that results from a cause other than the designated event is not eligible, it also states on page 80 that it may be possible to review predisaster bridge inspection reports to determine if damage to the bridge was present before the disaster. Here, the Applicant has demonstrated it performed routine predisaster bridge inspections. Based on FEMA’s review of the predisaster inspection report, FEMA was able to ascertain that no preexisting deficiencies existed that would have been severe enough as to cause the damage claimed.

FEMA finds that the Applicant has demonstrated additional work was required as a result of the disaster to address disaster-related damage. However, FEMA has not made a determination regarding the eligibility of the costs requested by the Applicant. Therefore, this appeal is partially approved.

44 C.F.R. § 206.223(a)(1). PA Guide, at 29, 33, 80. Pawnee (Cnty), FEMA-4225-DR-NE, at 4-5; Republic Cty. Highway Dep 't, FEMA-4230-DR-KS, at 3-4.