FEMA to Sweep Seven Cities in Harris County to Determine Direct Housing Needs
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Release Number: 1791-243
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Ike
AUSTIN, Texas -- Teams of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers are visiting several cities in Harris County and knocking on the doors of applicants to determine the registrants' direct housing needs.
Many Texans who registered with FEMA after Hurricane Ike came ashore on the Texas coast on Sept. 13, may have since moved or are no longer at the phone numbers that were originally given to operators. This has made it difficult for the agency to follow up with the applicants to determine their eligibility for temporary manufactured housing.
"We are attacking this challenge from all angles," said Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman. "We're calling the numbers we have. We're sweeping neighborhoods and knocking on doors and we're asking the local media to help us get the word out."
The teams began Monday, Nov. 10 visiting the cities of South Houston, Shoreacres, Seabrook, Pasadena, La Porte, Baytown and Jacinto City.
"This is a Help Us - Help You mission," said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun. "We won't leave any stone unturned, but Texans can help out by calling FEMA and providing the agency with any new contact information."
Applicants may update their contact information anytime by calling the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or the TTY line, 1-800-462-7585. Applicants can also update their contact information on the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 12-Nov-2008 08:36:57