FEMA: Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA is working closely with the state to establish the need for Disaster Recovery Centers in the hardest-hit counties, identify appropriate sites, and verify that the sites are safe and accessible to everyone in the community. Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in Bastrop County, Hidalgo County, Navarro County, Travis County and Willacy County for one-on-one assistance to disaster survivors. A visit to a DRC is not required for registration.

 

Disaster survivors in any designated county may go to any of the following locations for help:

 

Travis County

Elroy Community Library 13512 FM812

Del Valle, TX 78617

 

Dove Springs Recreation Center 5801 Ainez Drive

Austin, TX 78744

 

Bastrop County Church of Christ 287 FM 20

Bastrop, TX 78602

 

Navarro County Navarro Center Mall 800 N. Main St.

Corsicana, TX

 

Hidalgo County

Porter P. Doss Memorial Library 515 South Kansas Ave.

Weslaco, TX 78596

 

Willacy County Willacy County EMS 693 South 7th St.

Raymondville, TX 78580

 

Hours of Operation for all centers are:

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Sundays

 

• Individual Assistance Update (as of close of business Dec. 13)

• Total approved registrations: 1,729

• Total Individuals and Households Program grants approved: More than $11 million

• 93 percent of inspections requested are complete.

• For information on the inspection process, see the following news release on fema.gov: What Texans Should Expect after FEMA Registration

• U.S. Small Business Administration loan amount approved: $1,087,900

• Residents experiencing post-flooding animal infestations should contact local animal control agencies.

 

At the request of the state, FEMA has added Cameron County to the Texas disaster declaration of Nov. 25. The counties now designated for Individual Assistance include Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson Counties.

 

Homeowners and renters with damage or loss as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred Oct. 22 to Oct. 31 may register for disaster assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open daily

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For a visual explanation, visit: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/112402

 

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available for workers and the self-employed who have been unable to work because of the disaster. DUA applies to those living inside or outside a designated county whose work has been affected. To apply, call 800-939-6631 or go online

to http://www.texasworkforce.org/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services. The deadline to apply is Jan. 11 for Cameron County and Jan. 6 for the remaining designated counties.

 

Total U.S. Small Business Administration loan amount approved: $1,087,900

 

 

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are conducting outreach in the following counties: Brazoria, Caldwell, Cameron, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson.

 

 

Disaster assistance may be available for storm survivors who are noncitizens. View the following link for details: FEMA Citizenship Immigration Requirements.

 

 

Texans seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call 211, a statewide information and referral service. Anyone using a relay service should call 877-541-7905.

 

 

Texans who have legal issues as a direct result of the Oct. 22-Oct. 31 severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding may receive free legal information from the Texas State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program Hotline. Call 800-504-7030 for answers in English and Spanish.

 

 

FEMA has a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center to support NFIP policyholders. Call 800-621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

 

Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for Public Assistance are being conducted in 19 counties impacted by the flooding. Public Assistance reimburses state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations, such as school districts, 75 percent of disaster-related expenses to help communities recover.

 

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, tribes and local governments for projects intended to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly to the program; however a community may apply on their behalf. For details, go to:  http://www.fema.gov/region-vi-hazard-mitigation-grant-program-hmgp

 

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications on rebuilding stronger.

 

 

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. 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. Loan amount limits: Businesses and nonprofits $2 million (including EIDL); homeowner rebuilding loans $200,000; personal property for homeowners and renters $40,000. For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at

800-659-2955 (Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339), or visit  www.sba.gov/disaster.

 

 

The USDA has designated the 16 counties in the Nov. 25 declaration plus 30 other Texas counties contiguous to the 16 as approved for Farm Service Agency EM loan assistance. For FSA Emergency Farm Loans.