Crisis Counseling Available For People Of Southeast Texas Who Are Affected By Floods Spawned By Tropical Storm Allison
Release Date: June 22, 2001
Release Number: 1379-27
» More Information on Texas Severe Storms & Flooding
Houston, TX -- Even though losing a home, business or personal property to a disaster can pile a great financial burden on someone, the emotional toll a disaster brings can be even more devastating.
"People affected by a disaster can be seriously stressed and confused by the sudden adversity in their lives," said Richard Boltz, state coordinating officer for the disaster recovery effort. "We try to keep them from being overwhelmed and empower them to regain control of their lives."
"Stress is normal and common, and it appears in many forms," explained Scott Wells, head of the recovery effort for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "It may include despair, anger, alcohol or substance abuse, sleeplessness or loss of appetite, nightmares, depression and concentration problems."
"Some simple steps can help you cope," said Ed Maldonado, assistant director of the Disaster Assistance Program of the Texas Department of Mental Health. "Talk with your family, and neighbors. Get back to daily routines. Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Pay special attention to your children. They're stressed, too."
To receive help, or information on crisis counseling, visit the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center in your area. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week.
You can call any Crisis Hotline number, 24 hours a day.
Crisis Hotline Numbers:
Anderson and Cherokee counties
1-800-621-1693
Smith County
1-800-374-6058
Grimes, Leon and Madison counties
1-800-282-6467
Angelina, Houston, Jasper,
Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine,
San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby,
Trinity and Tyler counties
1-800-392-8343
Brazoria and Galveston counties
1-800-643-0967
Harris County
1-713-970-7070
Chambers, Hardin, Jefferson
and Orange counties
1-409-838-1818
Fort Bend County
1-800-633-5686
Liberty, Montgomery
and Walker counties
1-800-659-6994
Harrison County
1-800-832-1009
People affected by the storms and floods may apply for disaster assistance by calling the toll-free number -1-800-462-9029(1-800-462-7585 for hearing- and speech-impaired persons). Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2003 13:45:38