Disaster Aid Totals More Than $16 Million
Release Date: November 29, 2002
Release Number: 1439-24
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Corpus Christi, TX -- Disaster aid has reached more than $16 million, according to state and federal officials. The following is a weekly update of the disaster recovery effort.
- Registrations for disaster assistance number almost 11,000 and officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have inspected almost 7, 500 properties.
- Approved eligible amounts for disaster housing assistance, in the 17-county disaster area, total more than $7.7 million. Disaster Housing Assistance checks are approved for qualified individuals whose property was damaged or who have incurred temporary housing expenses as a result of the storm system.
- More than $7.9 million has been approved for Other Needs Assistance, which may include medical, dental and funeral expenses as well as personal property, transportation, and other disaster-related serious needs.
- The 17 designated counties eligible for Individual Assistance are: Aransas, Brazoria, Cameron, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hildago, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Liberty, Montgomery, Nueces, Orange, San Jacinto, and San Patricio .
- There are currently four Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) open to serve those in the disaster-designated counties who need disaster-related information. More than 500 people have received information from the DRC at Leopard St., Corpus Christi, and an additional 500 have visited the DRC at 17507 Imperial Valley Drive in Houston. The DRC at St. Andrews Church Hall on 1350 North 23 rd St. in Beaumont has helped more than 200 victims and a DRC at the National Guard Armory, 1198 Bluntzer Rd., in Robstown opened today (Nov. 29). A short-term DRC will open at the Lone Star Convention and Exposition Barn, 9055 FM 1484 in Conroe. The Conroe center will be open on Dec. 2 (Tuesday) and remain open through Dec. 4 (Wednesday).
- Individuals who sustained disaster-related losses as a result of the tornadoes, severe storms and flooding from Oct. 24 - Nov. 15, must re-register for this disaster even though they may have received assistance for a previous disaster. Those who have not yet registered need to call 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued more than 5,000 applications and approved more than $1.2 million for low-interest loans to business owners, homeowners and renters.
- Long after a disaster has passed, both adults and children can be affected by stress. Crisis counselors are available at each DRC for anyone suffering from disaster-related emotional stress. Contact information for regional Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation centers can also be obtained at the DRC. Assistance is readily available for Spanish-speaking individuals.
- Flooding is the leading cause of property loss from natural disasters in this country. Buying a national flood insurance policy is the first line of defense against economic losses caused by flooding. Anyone can buy flood insurance if his or her community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. For information, call the NFIP, toll-free, at 1-800-720-1090.
- As a result of this disaster and the apparent need for community collaboration, agencies from Orange, Jefferson and Hardin Counties will be working with the FEMA Voluntary Agency liaison to form a Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD). This group will address disaster- caused needs from the current floods and will develop a disaster preparedness/mitigation program for their community. Area Agency on Aging is the lead agency facilitating meetings and providing leadership to work on the formation of the COAD. Interfaith Disaster Recovery of the Coastal Bend is now an official non-profit agency that was formed to respond to unmet needs resulting from the last three Texas disasters. They will provide assistance to those in need in Nueces and San Patricio Counties.
- A legal hotline has been established for those who were affected by the disaster and need legal assistance. The line is operated by FEMA under contract with the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers' Division and in cooperation with the Texas Bar Association. Volunteer lawyers are available to provide disaster-related advice free of charge. Those in need of advice can call 1-800 504-7030 twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and leave a message for a representative to get back in touch with them. This assistance is available to all Texas victims in the 17 designated counties.
- Those who are repairing their home or business from storm damage need to understand that repairs must comply with the building code for windstorm resistant construction if they wish to insure their property with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
- Federal/state mitigation specialists are part of the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) staff and can offer information to DRC visitors on ways to reduce future disaster-related damages. They also have informative written mitigation materials available to the public.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Apr-2003 08:55:49