Additional Texas Counties Eligible For Disaster Assistance
Release Date: September 30, 2005
Release Number: 1606-010
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN , Texas -- Thirteen more Texas counties have been added to the list of those eligible for disaster assistance from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Individual assistance for Angelina, Brazoria, Fort Bend , Harris, Montgomery , Nacogdoches , Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby , Trinity and Walker counties has been made available to help homeowners, renters and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Rita.
Scott Wells, federal coordinating officer for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Recovery Efforts, in conjunction with state and local officials, announced that the counties were added after further federal/state damage assessments.
"Additional counties may be designated for assistance at a later date after further evaluation," said Wells. "Assessments are continuing."
The number of counties now eligible for individual assistance in the wake of Hurricane Rita stands at 22. Chambers, Galveston , Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty , Newton , Orange and Tyler counties had been designated earlier.
Individual Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other aid programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in all 254 counties in the State of Texas for debris removal and emergency protective measures. The Federal assistance of 100 percent funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures has been extended to 34 days, through and including Oct. 27.
Wells said that affected residents and business owners in the designated counties can begin the disaster application process by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Those with a speech or hearing impairment can call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Last Modified: Monday, 03-Oct-2005 07:13:38