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Residents of Four More Texas Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – Individuals and families in Fort Bend, Liberty, Montgomery and San Jacinto counties can now register for assistance for the April floods after FEMA granted the state’s request to add them to the disaster declaration.

They join the eight counties already approved for individual assistance under the April 25 federal disaster declaration: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Parker, Waller and Wharton counties.

Texans who suffered damage or loss as a result of the severe storms and flooding that occurred April 17-24 are encouraged to apply for assistance. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses.

Texans in the 12 counties can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at

800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Those who had flood or storm damage should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may be eligible for help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Before starting repairs or rebuilding a home or business, it is important to contact the local building code official or floodplain manager. Visit fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for free publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available for eligible survivors. SBA helps businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6.

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Residents of Four More Texas Counties Eligible to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Aid May Be Available to Repair or Replace a Vehicle Damaged by April Floods

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans whose vehicles were damaged or destroyed by this April’s flooding may be eligible to receive federal assistance to repair or replace the vehicle.

“Those who may be eligible include not just residents of the designated counties, but also those who were working in or visiting those areas between April 17 and April 24 and had disaster-related damage to their vehicle,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Hannes, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas.

The eight counties included in the federal disaster declaration are: Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Parker, Waller and Wharton.

The following conditions apply to assistance for a damaged or destroyed vehicle:

The damaged vehicle must have complied with applicable state laws regarding title, vehicle registration and insurance requirements at the time of the damage.
Only those who maintain at least liability insurance will be considered to receive federal disaster assistance to repair or replace their vehicles. Liability coverage is the minimum insurance requirement for Texas drivers. Liability insurance policies do not cover storm-related damage. Survivors who register must submit proof to FEMA that they maintain liability coverage to be considered for federal disaster assistance to repair or replace their cars.
Survivors who have a comprehensive policy should first file a claim with their insurance company. Comprehensive policies usually pay for storm-related damage to a car. However, federal disaster assistance may help fill the gaps for those whose comprehensive insurance coverage does not pay for any or all storm-related damage costs.
Survivors need to return a completed U.S. Small Business Administration disaster-loan application. After registering with FEMA, the SBA may contact survivors concerning disaster loan applications. It’s important for survivors to submit their application. Homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
FEMA grants to repair or replace a vehicle must clear the SBA disaster loan process. A survivor may receive a grant from FEMA to repair or replace their car if insurance is insufficient and they were declined for an SBA home loan. Grants do not need to be repaid.
Keep documents. Federal disaster assistance is available to survivors only if their cars had damage during the severe storms and flooding April 17 to April 24. Survivors must submit an itemized document showing damage to the cars was storm-related and a receipt, estimate or verifiable bill of the repair or replacement costs.

FEMA officials advise anyone whose vehicle was damaged during the storms and flooding to register for assistance.

Texans can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information about the SBA loan process, survivors may contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting the SBA website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the April storms at fema.gov/disaster/4269; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

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Aid May Be Available to Repair or Replace a Vehicle Damaged by April Floods

Federal Officials Visit Texas Communities with Resources for Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Residents in each of the state’s disaster-affected counties can expect to see FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance teams in their communities, offering a personal link to the resources for recovery.

FEMA officials are in the counties to meet with residents who suffered damage from severe storms and flooding April 17-24.

Using the latest mobile technology, DSA team members help survivors register for disaster assistance, update information on applications, assist with determining ongoing needs and make referrals to whole community partners.

The DSA teams are there in partnership with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local officials. DSA team members wear FEMA attire and carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed, ask to see it.

They may request the following information:

Social Security number;
Address of the damaged primary residence;
Description of the damage;
Information about insurance coverage;
A current contact telephone number;
An address where they can receive mail; and
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Residents in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Parker, Waller and Wharton counties do not have to wait until they meet with a DSA team member to register for FEMA assistance. Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. Toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and multilingual operators are available.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

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Federal Officials Visit Texas Communities with Resources for Recovery

Four More Texas Counties May Apply for Disaster Aid for April Storms

AUSTIN, Texas – Individuals and families in Austin, Colorado, Waller and Wharton counties can now register for assistance for the April 17-24 severe storms and floods after the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted the state’s request to add them to the disaster declaration.

They join the four counties already designated for FEMA’s individual assistance program under the April 25 federal disaster declaration: Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties.

Texans who suffered damage or losses as a result of April severe storms and flooding are encouraged to apply for assistance. Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses.

Texans in the eight counties who sustained disaster related damage or losses can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

For more information, survivors may contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting the SBA website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339

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Four More Texas Counties May Apply for Disaster Aid for April Storms

A Disaster Recovery Center Is Scheduled To Close in Stephenville

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery center, located at Erath County Fire Station, 830 A East Road, Stephenville, will close at 2 p.m. this Saturday, April 16.

DRCs are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred March 7-29, can still register for assistance, get questions answered and check on the status of their claim the following ways:

Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Call 800-621-3362 (FEMA or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. The deadline to register for federal assistance is May 18, 2016.

Recovery officials encourage Texans, who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA, to “stay in touch.” If survivors change their address or phone number they should update FEMA with the information. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays in getting a home inspection or receiving assistance.

Disaster survivors can visit any DRC. There may be another recovery center nearby. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center locator at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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A Disaster Recovery Center Is Scheduled To Close in Stephenville

Austin Program Encourages Residents to be Disaster Ready

During September, National Preparedness Month, the Austin Joint Field Office is releasing a series of stories highlighting FEMA’s support of Texas communities as they take steps to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin’s city leaders have seen disaster before and understand the folly of waiting and hoping one will never again hit this area.

With that in mind, they partnered with Travis County and the Central Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross to develop “Disaster Ready Austin.” Coordinated by the city of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), the purpose of the initiative is to educate and empower residents to be prepared for emergencies and disasters.

The vision is a whole-community approach to disaster preparedness education in the city of Austin. “Our basic message to [residents] is to protect themselves,” said Jacob Dirr, public information and marketing officer of HSEM’s Community Preparedness Programs. “The goal is to educate Austin residents on basic preparedness for all types of hazards, including first aid tips and what to do in case of flash floods, wildfires, severe weather, pandemic flu or accidents involving hazardous materials.”

Online resources, such as contact cards and emergency kit checklists are offered in English and Spanish at Homeland Security and Emergency Management | AustinTexas.gov . The HSEM Community Education and Outreach team members take advantage of scheduled meetings, such as Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) gatherings at the schools, where they offer presentations in English and Spanish.

Dirr notes that in some areas young kids, and parents, in the Austin community understand Spanish more than English.

Other audiences include Boy Scout groups, elderly care facilities, fairs, kids’ summer programs, area employers, community groups and school events.

One component of their community outreach at events is “Ready Freddie,” a character included in a children’s activity book called “Too Prepared to Be Scared,” which Dirr said is popular with parents and children. Featuring puzzles, games and animated figures to help get the preparedness message across, the booklet also has a certificate of appreciation children can receive when they finish.

“It’s full of colorful disaster-related advice such as information on developing an emergency supply kit, having an emergency plan and keeping pets safe,” Dirr said.

One of the biggest events attended by HSEM staff, including Dirr dressed in a life-size Ready Freddie mascot costume, was the “Back to School Bash” held at the downtown convention center. More than 100 vendors participated, with attendance exceeding 11,000.

To learn more about how cities and towns across Texas are building stronger, safer communities visit Best Practice Stories | FEMA.gov.

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Austin Program Encourages Residents to be Disaster Ready

Texas-based Organizations Win Nearly Half of 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

DENTON, Texas – Three out of seven winners in this year’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Community Preparedness Awards are from the state of Texas.

The annual awards, which are announced during September’s National Preparedness Month, recognize the innovative practices and achievements of individuals, Citizen Corps Councils, and nonprofit, faith-based, and private sector organizations working throughout the nation to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to manage any disaster or emergency event.

The seven categories include Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives, Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives, Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Initiatives, Outstanding Achievements in Youth Preparedness, Preparing the Whole Community, Awareness to Action and Community Preparedness Heroes.

“I am extremely proud of these organizations and the individuals in Texas who have been recognized nationally by FEMA for their creative initiatives to keep their communities prepared,” said Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “Thanks to the selfless dedication of the various volunteer groups across Texas, they are making Texas a safer place to live.”

“We applaud our Texas partners for the great work they are doing when it comes to preparedness,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “These awards more than demonstrate the commitment that the Lone Star State has to ensuring its citizens are ready for any emergency.”

The Texas awardees include:

The City of Austin for Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives:

Last year, the Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) conducted a community-wide survey to measure how well Austin’s whole community is prepared for major disasters and emergencies. The basic consensus indicated that Austin residents were not well prepared for natural or man-made disasters. Based on these results, the city of Austin’s Community Emergency Response Team greatly enhanced its program by developing six new partnerships to help prepare Austin’s whole community respond to local incidents, and fill gaps that left the Austin community vulnerable in times of emergency. In the past 16 months, members of Austin CERT have worked tirelessly to help maximize their efforts to make their program exemplary. Parts of the program’s success include the Austin CERT Water Utility Partnership, the Austin Fire Department Partnership, Austin’s Teen CERT Partnership, the Disaster Ready Austin Preparedness Partnership, and the Austin CERT Podcast.

The Heart of Texas Citizen Corps Council for Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives:

On the evening of April 17, 2013, a fertilizer plant exploded in West Texas killing 14 people including 12 first responders, injuring hundreds, and destroying houses and buildings. The enormity of this disaster triggered a massive response from first responders as well as volunteers. The volunteer response included no fewer than 10 Citizen Corps teams organized under the Heart of Texas Citizen Corps Council, which is organized and overseen by the Homeland Security Division of the Heart of Texas Council of Governments (HOTCOG). Local CERT teams in the area contributed over 120 hours of volunteer service and made a significant impact in assisting those in need.

The Texas School Safety Center for Outstanding Achievements in Youth Preparedness:

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) developed a statewide approach to emphasize youth preparedness and educate the whole community in disaster preparedness. Through the delivery of a statewide youth summer camp that includes emergency response training, community specific action planning, and leadership development, the TxSSC prepares teams of youth to lead preparedness efforts in their local communities and schools. In June 2012, the TxSSC funded 30 participants, made up of three youth groups and their adult sponsors from across Texas, to attend the 2012 Youth Preparedness Camp. The camp spanned across five days and was held at Schriener University in Kerrville, Texas.

In addition to the three awardees, one Texan, a Texas youth program and a Texas county received honorable mentions for their programs:

Stephanie Parker for Community Preparedness Heroes
Texas School Safety Center for Awareness to Action
Harris County CERT for Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team

“We encourage everyone to take steps now to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses and communities,” Robinson added. “What better time to make this commitment than National Preparedness Month.”

For more information, visit www.citizencorps.gov, http://community.fema.gov, and http://ready.gov/kids

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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. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the R6 Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/region-vi/region-6-preparedness

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Texas-based Organizations Win Nearly Half of 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards

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