Residents of Texas and Louisiana are still not out of harm’s way.
Do not attempt to return home until local officials say it is safe to do so. Continue to monitor the weather and follow the direction of state, tribal and local officials.
- First responders, federal teams and voluntary agencies are working tirelessly to help those in need through search and rescue, staffing emergency shelters, providing meals and offering comfort.
- Family and friends of those in the affected areas are urged to check social network sites like Facebook or Twitter for information about your loved ones, or use the American Red Cross’s Safe and Well program, to let family members know they are safe, or looking for loved ones.
- Registering online, at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, is the quickest way to register for FEMA assistance since the event will last several days and the full scope of damages may not be evident until the storm has passed. If residents are unable to access the internet, they can also call at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Search and Rescue
- Federal, state, and local search and rescue teams are operating 24/7 to reach those stranded in flooded areas. Integrated search and rescue operations by federal, state, and local teams are engaged and aligning the right skills with the search and rescue needs as they are identified.
- FEMA has more than 1,100 Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) personnel working to save lives in south Texas. FEMA US&R teams have conducted rescues for more than 2,500 survivors.
- United States Coast Guard (USCG) is using shallow-draft vessels to provide search and rescue assistance in flooded areas, while Coast Guard aircrews conduct damage assessment overflights and search and rescue patrols. USCG has rescued more than 4,200 survivors. Additional surge boat resources are deployed to Texas from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of the Interior (DOI).
- Only call 911 if you have a life threatening emergency.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is asking that drone operators — both hobbyists and commercial operators– remain clear of search-and rescue efforts. Drones pose a potential danger to low-flying helicopters and their crews and can hinder the efforts of those who are trying to save lives. Operators should check their Notices to Airmen because the FAA issue Temporary Flight Restrictions at any time as conditions change.
The Situation
- More than 140 state, local, and community shelters are open across the affected and surrounding areas. Download the FEMA mobile app (available in English and Spanish) for registration information, directions to open shelters, a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
- FEMA is responding to Tropical Storm Harvey in Texas and Louisiana through its Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Denton, Texas, the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) in Washington, D.C., and our liaisons to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.
- According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall just west of Cameron, Louisiana this morning. Additional rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected to the north and east of Houston from far east Texas into southwestern Louisiana.
Declarations
Louisiana
- On August 28, 2017, President Trump declared an emergency for Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vermillion parishes in the State of Louisiana, at the request of Governor Bel Edwards.
- FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding. Direct Federal Assistance may be included in a state or tribal request when they lack a capability to perform or contract for debris removal, emergency protective measures, emergency communications, or emergency public transportation.
Texas
- On August 27, 2017, President Trump amended the earlier Tropical Storm Harvey major disaster declaration to add 12 counties.
Individual Assistance: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda, Victoria, and Wharton.
Public Assistance: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda, Victoria, and Wharton
Emergency Protective Measures: Bexar
- On August 25, 2017, President Trump at the request of Governor Abbott declared a major disaster declaration for the state of Texas as a result of Hurricane Harvey, beginning on August 23, 2017. This declaration makes federal assistance available to affected individuals and households. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for state, tribal, and local government and certain private nonprofit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures
Individual Assistance: Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio
Public Assistance: Bee, Goliad, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio
- Hazard mitigation is available statewide in Texas.
Road to Recovery
- If you evacuated and have not yet returned to your home, call your insurance company. To file a flood insurance claim under the National Flood Insurance Program, contact your insurance agent immediately. You can also call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) – select option 2 – to learn more about your policy, and be directed to the appropriate claims resource.
- The National Flood Insurance Program is authorizing advance payments of NFIP claims to expedite recovery.
If you have NFIP flood insurance and suffered damage during the recent floods related to Hurricane Harvey, you may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 for building and contents damages prior to the adjuster’s inspection with an advance payment request agreement signed by you.
If you have photos and receipts which validate your out-of-pocket expense, you may receive an advance payment up to $10,000.
If the flood insurance adjuster has inspected your loss, you have significant damage, and a copy of your contractor’s estimate, you may receive a larger advance payment based on the estimated covered loss.
- While immediate lifesaving and life sustaining operations are the priority for FEMA and our partners, residents and business owners in designated counties who sustained disaster related damage due to Tropical Storm Harvey, and are able to do so, can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
- You may wait to register for FEMA assistance until you know whether your home is damaged. You have 60 days after a declaration to register for FEMA disaster assistance.
- Registering online is the quickest way to register for FEMA assistance since the event will last several days and the full scope of damages may not be evident until the storm has passed. If you do not have access to the internet you may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). If you use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362 directly. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
- As of this morning, more than 63,000 individuals and households have been approved for FEMA assistance.
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) has been approved in Texas for eligible disaster survivors who have a continuing need for shelter because they are unable to return to their homes for an extended period of time. To be eligible for TSA, you must be registered for FEMA disaster assistance.
- This initiative is intended to provide short-term lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose communities are either uninhabitable or inaccessible due to disaster-related damage. FEMA will contact you if you are eligible for the program. A listing of available properties under this program can be found at www.femaevachotels.com.
- Expedited rental assistance has been approved in Texas for eligible disaster survivors. Due to the size of the disaster, FEMA is using coastal depth and riverine flooding data to identify damaged homes, so survivors can get funds quickly and begin making decisions regarding their temporary housing solutions.
- Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) has been approved for eligible survivors in the state of Texas. CNA is intended for individuals and households who, as a result of the disaster, have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary home. Immediate or critical needs include. CNA is a one-time, limited payment per household for eligible applicants who register for FEMA assistance.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits are available to those whose jobs were affected by Tropical Storm Harvey in Texas, specifically those who live or work in the counties included in the major disaster declaration. This may include people not normally eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed persons and farm-workers.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) has activated its Disaster Distress helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to survivors who are experiencing emotional distress.
- The compassion of the American people is already evident in their response to the destruction the storm has caused. People can help by visiting nvoad.org to donate or volunteer with the voluntary or charitable organization of their choice, many of which are already in south Texas and Louisiana supporting survivors, even as the rain and wind continue.
On Children
- To report a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-866-908-9570. Anyone who finds an unaccompanied child who may have been separated from their parents or caregivers should contact the local police, or enter basic information and/or a photo into the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Unaccompanied Minors Registry or call 1-866-908-9570, If your missing child has a disability or access and functional need, please indicate that when talking with the NCMEC. If you have found an unaccompanied child, please indicate this information in the appropriate field in the Unaccompanied Minors Registry.
- This is a difficult time for those who have had to evacuate their homes as well as for those who have been able to return and see the damages to their homes.
- It is important not to overlook how this storm affects the children who live in these areas and who have lost their pets, favorite toys, or other cherished treasures. They may not fully understand what is going on.
- To help children recover or cope with the situation, here are some helpful tips to make them feel safe again:
Limit TV Time: Intense media coverage of disasters can frighten young children and disturb teenagers as well.
Keep To A Routine: Help your children feel as if they still have a sense of structure, which can make them feel more at ease or provide a sense of familiarity. When schools and child care open again, help them to return to normal activities including going back to class, sports and play groups.
Make Time for Them: Help kids to understand that they are safe and secure by talking, playing and doing other family activities with them. To help younger children feel safe and calm, read a favorite book or have a relaxing family game or activity.
An example of current actions
- Urban Search & Rescue task forces with the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) System, are on the ground in the Houston/Galveston area in Texas to support the state and tribes as needed and requested. Additional teams are on alert.
- Each of these teams has swift water rescue capabilities.
- Six Type 1 Task Forces conducting operations in Houston and the surrounding areas
- Eight Type 3 Task Forces conducting operations in Houston and the surrounding areas
- Fourteen Swiftwater Mission Ready Packages
- One Incident Support Team in College Station
- FEMA established Incident Support Bases (ISB) near Seguin, Texas, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana to ensure supplies including water, meals, blankets and other resources are closer to affected areas and are available for distribution to state, tribal, and local officials. State, local, and tribal officials are responsible for distributing supplies to the community.
As of this Wednesday morning, the following commodities have been provided to the state of Texas at its request:
- More than 306,000 meals
- More than 687,000 liters of water
More than 4.6 million meals, 5.1 million liters of water, and thousands of cots and blankets remain available at ISBs for transfer to the states of Texas and Louisiana should they be needed and requested. Additional commodities are in route to the ISBs.
- Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and equipment are on the ground in Texas and Louisiana to support the states with secure and non-secure voice, video and information services for emergency response communications needs. The following teams and assets are on the ground in Texas, with additional teams deploying:
- Twenty-Two Mobile Emergency Response Support teams
- Twenty Five mobile communication office vehicles in support of US&R, IMAT, ISB, and survivor assistance.
- FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) are in place in Houston and the Texas and Louisiana state emergency operations centers in Austin, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to support requests for federal assistance. Additional teams continue to deploy as the response continues.
- FEMA’s National Business Emergency Operations Center is activated to facilitate coordination between government and private sector organizations as the community responds to Tropical Storm Harvey.
- The National Flood Insurance Program has general adjusters situated in Texas and Louisiana to support initial damage assessments and assist with positioning adjuster resources following the event.
- More than 3,200 FEMA employees are working in support of Tropical Storm Harvey response.
Federal Family Actions
- More than 12,400 federal staff are deployed in support of Tropical Storm Harvey response.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
In Case of Emergency
If this is an emergency or life threatening situation – please hang up and dial 9-1-1.
FOR TEXAS: Otherwise dial 3-1-1.
When should I call 911?
- If you are in a life-threatening situation and can’t reach 911, contact your county emergency operation center
- If you are unable to get through to your county’s emergency operation center, you can call the Houston Coast Guard Command Center: (281) 464-4851, 4852, 4853, 4854, 4855
What should I do if the Coast Guard comes to rescue me?
- Don’t go into the attic because rescuers are unable to see you from the air. Instead, mark the roof with paint or sheets or towels so you are visible from the air. You can also wave the sheets or towels to attract attention.
I am without power, what who can I call the check the status of power returning to my home?
- Please contact your local energy provider for information on power outages in your area.
Missing Persons/Family & Friend Updates
How do I find out if my family member or friend is ok?
- We encourage you to check social network sites like Facebook or Twitter. You can also use American Red Cross’ Safe and Well program to track family members or let family members know you are safe. The website is https://safeandwell.communityos.org. The site allows you to list yourself as safe or search for registrants.
I found an unaccompanied child what should I do?
- Please contact local police or reference the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (www.missingkids.com) Unaccompanied Minors Registry website (https://umr.missingkids.org). The center can also be reached by phone at 1-866-908-9570.
Disaster Assistance
Where can I find a shelter?
- You can download the FEMA app from the iTunes or the Google play store, and search for Disaster Relief Centers in your area or you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
What should I bring to the shelter?
You should bring:
- Prescription medications
- Extra clothing
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Hygiene supplies
- Important documents
- And other comfort items
How do I apply for temporary sheltering assistance?
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) has been approved in Texas for eligible disaster survivors who have a continuing need for shelter because they are unable to return to their homes for an extended period of time. To be eligible for TSA, you must be registered for FEMA disaster assistance. If sheltering is not available in your area, FEMA will contact you if you are eligible for the program. A listing of available properties under this program can be found at www.femaevachotels.com.
What steps do I need to take to file insurance claims on my property?
- To file an insurance claim under the National Flood Insurance Program, contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. If they are not available, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) – select option 2 – this will help you learn more about your policy and be directed to the appropriate claims resource.
How do I apply for disaster assistance?
- For the fastest way to register, register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). If you use 711 relay of Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) directly. The toll-free numbers will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. If you would like to wait to register for FEMA assistance, you have 60 days after a declaration to register for FEMA disaster assistance.
I lost all of my food, what are my options?
- FEMA does not provide food assistance, but voluntary organizations in the disaster area may be able to help you with food requests. You can dial 211 for a referral to any organization that might be able to help you.
Status Updates
How do I know if my area has been designated a disaster?
- Please listen to State and local announcements released through print, broadcast or social media listing which counties have been designated for federal assistance. In addition, you can check with FEMA.gov at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4332 for the latest information relating to designated counties.
Is it safe for me to return to my home?
- If your home is in an area affected by Tropical Storm Harvey, you should continue to follow instructions of state, local and tribal officials including instructions to shelter in place or to evacuate. Do not return to evacuated areas until told do so by state, local, and tribal officials.
What should I be doing while the storm continues to ensure the safety of my family?
- Please continue to monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information.
Where can I find information and stay informed during the disaster?
- You can download the FEMA app from the Google play store or iTunes. The app is available in both English and Spanish, and provides information on how to register for disaster assistance, driving directions to open shelters and weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
Business Inquires/Job Opportunities
My business can help with the disaster. Who can I speak with about developing a business relationship with FEMA?
- FEMA Industry Liaison Program establishes strategic relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, and connects suppliers with program offices in support of FEMA’s mission. The program ensures information about your company’s products or services are routed to the appropriate program office. You may contact the program at 202-646-1895 or by email at FEMA-Industry@fema.dhs.gov
I have a small business has interested in establishing a contract with FEMA. What options are available to me?
- FEMA Small Business Program office actively engages with FEMA’s procurement personnel to ensure that small businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in contracts. You can contact the office at 202-212-1975 or by email at FEMA-SB@fema.dhs.gov for additional information.
I want to apply for a position and work with FEMA. Where can I find job opportunities?
Volunteering and Donations
I would like to volunteer. How can I help?
- You can help be visiting https://www.nvoad.org/hurricane-harvey/hurricane-harvey-how-to-help/ to donate or volunteer with a voluntary or charitable organization of your choice.
I would like to donate housing opportunities. How can I register my location?
Emergency Response Websites