Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Central Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – Three State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are now open in Bastrop and Travis Counties for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage as a result of the ongoing severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding from Oct. 22 to Oct. 31.

 

Specialists from the State of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), nongovernmental organizations and the local community are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

 

The DRC locations and hours of operation are:

 

Bastrop County Church of Christ

287 FM 20

Bastrop, TX 78602

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

 

Travis County

Elroy Community Library

13512 FM 812

Del Valle, TX 78617

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday

 

Dove Springs Recreation Center

5801 Ainez Drive

Austin, TX 78744

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Closed Sunday 

 

Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Two Counties for Texans

 

If possible, register for FEMA assistance by phone or online before visiting a center. Going to a DRC is not a requirement of registration, but specialists there can provide guidance regarding disaster recovery and rental resources, explain written correspondence received from FEMA, inform survivors of the status of their application, make referrals to other organizations and answer questions.

 

Survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Applicants will be asked to provide:

 

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

Bank account and routing numbers for those preferring direct deposit of funds

 

The presidential disaster declaration of Nov. 25 makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in 15 counties: Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson.

 

Assistance for eligible survivors can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for Businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

 

Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. Economic Injury disaster loans are available to businesses and private-nonprofits to assist with working capital needs as a direct result of the disaster.

Eligible survivors should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.