Recovery Approaches $200 Million For Summer, Fall Disasters in Texas
Release Date: February 22, 1999
Release Number: 1257-061
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Federal and state disaster recovery assistance to individuals following the summer and fall storms, floods and tornadoes is almost $178 million. Another $21.5 million has been delivered or earmarked for public assistance to local and state governments to reimburse eligible costs for emergency services, debris removal and infrastructure repairs.
Individual assistance includes:
- Temporary rental assistance or funds for minor emergency home repairs, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Disaster recovery loans, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Disaster unemployment assistance funded by FEMA through the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by the Texas Workforce Commission.
- Grants for serious disaster-related needs unmet by other government or voluntary agencies, funded 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the Texas Division of Emergency Services, and administered by the Texas Department of Human Services.
FEMA will reimburse local and state governments and certain nonprofits up to 75 percent of eligible costs through the public assistance program. It includes all or parts of the following:
- Debris removal
- Emergency protective measures
- Road systems and bridges
- Water control facilities
- Public buildings and contents
- Public utilities
- Parks, recreational and other activities of a governmental nature
President Clinton declared three disasters in Texas between August and November 1998. Some counties were hit by more than one disaster. The disasters, counties and approved disaster funds as of Feb. 19, 1999 are:
Southwest Texas: Total federal and state assistance by Feb. 18, 1999: $18,897,018. Individual and public assistance to Edwards, Kinney, Real, Maverick, Uvalde, Val Verde and Webb counties and public assistance only for Kimble County following flooding caused by Tropical Storm Charley that struck southwest Texas Aug. 22 through Aug. 30, 1998. Original declaration was Aug. 24.
- Individual assistance total: $14,022,223 ($7,572,223 for grants and $6,450,000 for loans.)
- 3,265 applications
- 1,445 grants approved, totaling $2,156,601 for temporary rental assistance and minor emergency home repairs.
- 320 loans approved by the SBA totaling $6,450,000 for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- 50 claims for disaster unemployment assistance, totaling $65,817.
- 1,212 grants totaling $5,349,805 for serious disaster-related needs not met by insurance, other government or voluntary agencies.
- Public assistance total: $4,874,795
Southeast Texas: Total federal and state assistance by Feb. 18, 1999: $17,246,000. Individual assistance to Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson and Matagorda counties for flooding between Sept. 9 and Oct. 5, 1998 as a result of Tropical Storm Frances. Original declaration was Sept. 23.
- Individual assistance total: $11,978,657 ($6,423,557 for grants and $5,555,100 for loans.)
- 4,652 applications
- 2,159 grants approved, totaling $4,190,165 for temporary rental assistance and minor emergency home repairs.
- 381 loans approved by the SBA totaling $5,555,100 for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- 37 claims for disaster unemployment assistance, totaling $23,413.
- 1,095 grants totaling $2,209,979 for serious disaster-related needs not met by insurance, other government or voluntary agencies.
- Public assistance total: $5,267,342.
South, Central and Southeast Texas: Total federal and state assistance by Feb. 18, 1999: $163,167,677. Individual assistance only to Atascosa, Blanco, Brazoria, Galveston, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Kendall, Lavaca, Medina, and Walker counties; individual and public assistance to Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Colorado, Comal, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Jackson, Karnes, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nueces, Polk, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Travis, Trinity, Victoria, Waller, Wharton and Wilson counties following severe storms, flooding and tornadoes between Oct. 17 and Nov. 15, 1998. Original declaration was Oct. 21.
- Individual assistance total: $151,760,700 ($63,317,200 grants and $88,443,500 for loans.)
- 25,756 applications
- 13,786 grants approved, totaling $28,047,095 for temporary rental assistance and minor emergency home repairs.
- 2,740 loans approved by the SBA totaling $88,443,500 for homeowners, renters and businesses.
- 361 claims for disaster unemployment assistance, totaling $427,324.
- 7,933 grants totaling $34,842,781 for serious disaster-related needs not met by insurance, other government or voluntary agencies.
- Public assistance total: $11,406,977.
Last Modified: Friday, 16-Jan-2004 11:05:01