York County residents whose homes have been damaged by Hurricane Sandy should begin reporting their losses.

County spokesman Carl Lindquist said the county is accepting damage surveys online or by calling the county's Office of Emergency Management. Residents may also report damage to their municipalities of residence.

Damage includes anything from missing siding to flooded basements. The county collects damage reports to gauge of the impact of the storm on the community, to help determine whether the area sustained enough losses to be eligible for federal disaster relief, and to identify improvements that could be made to avoid future storm damage, Lindquist said.

Municipalities should also inspect infrastructure to report damage to, for example, bridges and roads, he said.

The county received millions of dollars in federal aid as a result of destruction from Tropical Storm Lee last year, but Lindquist said preliminary reports indicate the damage from Sandy could be less extensive.

Based on 911 calls, the biggest problems were homes with flooded basements and water damage, he said.

Reporting the damage doesn't guarantee aid, as it's not known whether the county will receive any. Residents will have to apply should aid become available, but the damage reports determine whether the county meets the threshold to become eligible, he said.

To report damage, visit www.yorkcountypa.gov and click on "Emergency Services," then "Emergency Management." From that site, click on the link for "Damage Reporting" on the left.

To report by phone, call the county at 840-2990.