AUSTIN, Texas—More than 22,000 Texans battered by flooding over the last two years settled claims with the National Flood Insurance Program for over $1 billion, disaster recovery officials said today.

Severe storms and flooding over the last two years resulted in six federal disaster declarations in Texas, affecting more than half of the state’s 254 counties, many on multiple occasions. Residents are still picking up the pieces from flood-related disaster declarations in March, April and May-June this year.

About 100,000 individuals and families registered with FEMA for federal assistance during the 2015-2016 recovery. Only a small percentage received the agency’s maximum award of $33,000, for losses likely much greater. The average FEMA grant for the May-June floods was about $6,800.

Those with flood insurance and who filed claims in the last two years received an average settlement of about $57,000.  There doesn’t have to be a federal disaster declaration to file a claim; in fact, most floods do not result in disaster declarations.

Most Texans Lack Flood Policies

Flooding is the most common U.S. disaster as well as the costliest natural disaster. Yet most Texans lack flood insurance, according to the Insurance Council of Texas. Less than 25 percent of the state’s homeowners are covered, despite the risks.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, but the NFIP does. Funded by FEMA, NFIP makes flood insurance available for communities that participate in the program, regardless of whether the area is high, low, or medium risk. Check the Community Status Book to see if your community is already an NFIP partner.

NFIP carries a maximum coverage of $250,000 for homes and $100,000 for contents. Business coverage is a maximum of $500,000 for building and $500,000 for contents.

In nearly all cases, it takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it’s important to buy insurance before the storm approaches and the floodwaters start to rise.

To learn more about any property’s flood risk, estimate an NFIP premium or locate an insurance agent who sells flood insurance, go to www.floodsmart.gov. For flood information and safety tips visit www.ready.gov/floods. Find the Spanish-language website at www.listo.gov.

# # #

September is National Preparedness Month. Feel free to share with your audience important tips from www.Ready.gov to prepare, plan and stay informed during any emergency.

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.

Original article: 

Flood Insurance Settlements to Texans Top $1 Billion

AUSTIN, Texas – The Hood County disaster recovery center in Granbury will close at 2 p.m. on July 9.

Location:
Hood County Emergency Operations Center
401 Deputy Larry Miller Dr.
Granbury, TX 76048
Closing: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 9

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by severe storms and flooding May 26-June 24, can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 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.

Disaster survivors can also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

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

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May 26-June 24 storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272 or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Source article – 

Hood County Disaster Recovery Center in Granbury to Close July 9

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery center in Brenham in Washington County will close on June 30.

Washington County

Location: Washington County Fairgrounds
1305 East Bluebell Rd.
Brenham TX 77833

Closing: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 30

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

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

# # #

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.

Credit:

Disaster Recovery Center to Close in Washington County

AUSTIN, Texas – Two important deadlines are ahead for Texans who are considering a loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration for recovery from the April storms and flooding.

Most survivors who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance were contacted by the SBA with information on the agency’s loan-interest disaster loans, as well as instructions on how to complete the loan application.

The deadline to submit the application for physical damage is June 24, 2016.  The deadline for businesses to submit a loan application for economic injury is Jan. 25, 2017.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property, offering low-interest disaster assistance loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Survivors may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at 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 Rd.
Fort Worth, TX  76155

SBA loan applications should be submitted even as disaster survivors await an insurance settlement. The loan balance is reduced by the settlement. SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance.

Both FEMA and the SBA encourage Texans who suffered damage or loss from the April storms and were provided a loan application to complete the application.  There is no obligation to take a loan if offered. If approved, and a survivor does not accept the loan, it may make them ineligible for additional federal assistance.

  • Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA to repair or replace their primary residence.

  • Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

  • Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working capital loans—called Economic Injury Disaster Loans—to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

# # #

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.

Read the article – 

SBA Disaster Loan Application Deadlines Nears

AUSTIN, Texas – Texans who sustained damage or loss from the storms and flooding that began May 26 and continues can now register for disaster assistance with FEMA.

The presidential disaster declaration of June 11 makes federal assistance available to affected individuals and households in 12 Texas counties: Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller and Washington.

Residents are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance even if they applied for or received aid for other recent disasters.

“It may seem confusing, but residents who received disaster aid earlier this year need to apply again for assistance available through this new disaster declaration,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “We want to make sure that all Texans who had damage in this latest disaster receive every bit of assistance they are eligible for.”

Texans can register the following ways:

  • online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

  • visit a disaster recovery center

To find the nearest disaster recovery center, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access Braille or large print, please let the FEMA representatives know. American Sign Language interpreters can be available, if requested, by calling Everett Sedgwick at 202-870-4129.

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.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

For more information on the Texas recovery, visit the disaster webpage for the May-June storms at fema.gov/disaster/4272; or visit the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Read this article: 

Texans in 12 Counties Affected by May-June Flooding Can Register With FEMA for Disaster Assistance

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery center in The Woodlands in Montgomery County will close at 6 p.m. on June 10.

Location:      
The Woodlands United Methodist Church
9201 Grogans Mill
The Woodlands, TX 77380

Closing:        
6 p.m. Friday, June 10

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers 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 also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the 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 dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Link to original:

Disaster Recovery Center to Close June 10 at The Woodlands in Montgomery County

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery centers in Spring and Houston in Harris County will close at 2 p.m. on June 11.

Locations:     
Cypress Creek Christian Church & Community Center
6823 Cypresswood Dr.
Spring, TX 77379

Foundry United Methodist Church
8350 Jones Rd.
Houston, TX 77065

Closing:         
2 p.m. Saturday, June 11

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers 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 also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the 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 dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Taken from:

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close June 11 in Spring and Houston (Harris County)

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery center in Columbus in Colorado County will close at 2 p.m. on June 4.

Location:      
Colorado County EMS
305 Radio Lane, Room 101
Columbus, TX 78934

Closing:         
2 p.m. Saturday, June 4

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the center closes, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers 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 also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the 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 dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Source: 

Disaster Recovery Center to Close June 4 in Columbus

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery centers in Brookshire and Hempstead in Waller County will close June 4.

Location:
Brookshire Civic Center4010 4th St.
Brookshire, Texas 77423

Closing:
2 p.m. Saturday, June 4

Location:
Waller County Road & Bridge (government building)
775 Business 290 E.
Hempstead, Texas 77445

Closing:
2 p.m. Saturday, June 4

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov
  • phone 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers 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 also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the 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 dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Survivors may also download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

 

Originally from – 

Disaster Recovery Centers to Close June 4 in Brookshire and Hempstead, Waller County

AUSTIN, Texas – The disaster recovery centers in Shepherd in San Jacinto County and La Grange in Fayette County will close this weekend.

Location:       Shepherd Community Center

                        10251 Hwy. 150

                        Shepherd, Texas 77371

Closing:         6 p.m. Friday, May 27

Location:       La Grange Fire Station

                        244 N. Franklin

                        La Grange, Texas 78945     

Closing:         2 p.m. Saturday, May 28

Disaster recovery centers are operated jointly by FEMA and the state. Visiting a disaster recovery center is not required to register for FEMA assistance.

After the centers close, Texans whose homes or businesses were affected by the April 17-24 storms and flooding can still register for assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process or check the status of their claim the following ways:

  • visit DisasterAssistance.gov

  • phone 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.

Recovery officials encourage Texans who registered for disaster assistance with FEMA to stay in touch. If survivors change their addresses or phone numbers 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 also visit other recovery centers that remain open. To find the closest one, go online to the Disaster Recovery Center Locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on the 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 dps.texas.gov/dem/. Follow us on Twitter @femaregion6.

Survivors may also download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

# # #

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.

Download the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.

Jump to original:

Disaster Recovery Centers Closing This Weekend in Shepherd and La Grange

 Page 1 of 2  1  2 »