State or Tribal government collects initial damage estimates.

Governor or Tribal Chief Executive requests Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) from FEMA's Regional Office.

Joint Federal/State/Local/Tribal PDAs are conducted in the areas requested by the State or Tribal Government.

Governor or Tribal Chief Executive submits a request to the President through FEMA's Regional Administrator for a major disaster or emergency declaration. The request is based on PDA findings and specifies programs and areas for designation.

The Regional Office reviews the declaration request and sends its recommendations to FEMA Headquarters.

FEMA Headquarters reviews the State or tribal government's request and the Regional Office's recommendations. The Declarations Unit prepares a White House package containing FEMA's recommendation to the President for the Administrator's signature.

A draft White House package is emailed to the DHS Secretary for review and approval for transmission to the White House.

FEMA forwards the White House package to the President for decision.