AUSTIN, Texas – As Texans rebuild or repair their homes resulting from the storms during May 4 through June 19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA specialists will be on hand in Harris County at in-store information centers to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Also, if you’re thinking of building a storm shelter or safe room, literature is available about the best options. Safe rooms built to FEMA specifications have saved thousands of lives.

Advisors will be available at the following Houston locations 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except Wednesday on dates noted:

July 9 – 14
Home Depot
999 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

July 16 – 21
Home Depot
6810 Gulf Fwy
Houston, TX 77087

July 23 – 28
Lowe’s Home Improvement
4645 Beechnut St.
Houston, TX 77096

July 30 – August 4
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1521 N. Loop W.
Houston, TX 77008

August 6 – 11
Home Depot
8400 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77024

August 13 – 18
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1000 Gulfgate Center Mall
Houston, TX 77087

August 20 – 25
Lowe’s Home Improvement
9640 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77055

August 27 – September 1
Home Depot
10707 N. Fwy
Houston, TX 77037

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets in English and Spanish on protecting your home from flood damage, mold and mildew clean-up. More information about strengthening property can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

Texans who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists can help service claims, provide general information regarding policies, and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. 

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call
800-877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.