76-year-old rides out Hurricane Harvey, 4-state road to recovery

A survivor’s story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas — Lying on her bed in Port Aransas the night after Hurricane Harvey tore through, Sandra Maynard was startled when her lap dog, Fritz, began to bark.  “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, the looters are here.’”   The 76-year-old had just inventoried her home and was making plans for her second night alone since her one-story townhome flooded with rainwater and sewage. She had a flashlight, but all her candles were gone.  “I did have sheets and stuff in a closet,” she said,...
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Get Required Permits Before Rebuilding

Before considering new construction and repairs on property located in flood-hazard areas, survivors of the severe storms in Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties are urged to consult local building officials to obtain floodplain development permits. Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a 100-year floodplain. Floodplain development permits cannot be waived, and local governments cannot reduce or ignore the floodplain requirement.  Know your local flood risk by viewing and downloading your community’s flood risk products from FEMA’s Map Service Center (MSC) Product Catalog. Flood...
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FEMA grants more than $1.2 million to the City of Groves for debris removal

AUSTIN, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $1.2 million for the City of Groves to remove debris deposited by Hurricane Harvey.  The cost of debris removal in Groves is nearly $1.4 million. The grant of more than $1.2 million is the federal share of the cost and requires a 10 percent nonfederal match by the applicant, or $137,964. This grant comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants...
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August 14, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 14, 2018 Significant Activity for August 13-14, 2018 Significant Events: Western Wildfires Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Medium (40%) • Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: High (90%); Disturbance 2: Low (10%) • Central Pacific –Disturbance 1: Low (10%) • Western Pacific – Tropical Storm Hector – no threat to U.S. interests Significant Weather: • Flash flooding possible – Southern/Central Plains to Lower/Middle Mississippi valleys; Mid-Atlantic to Northeast • Elevated fire weather – ID and CO • Isolated dry thunderstorms – CA, NV, UT,...
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Personal touch brings Houston-area family to recovery finish line

A survivor story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas – Rose Pickens knew more about floods and federal disaster assistance than most people when Hurricane Harvey hit. She had received aid from FEMA after her house was damaged in the Memorial Day 2016 flood, and through her role as director of a local nonprofit, she had assisted many impoverished families whose homes had flooded.    Nonetheless, her family’s road to recovery after Harvey presented a slow, daunting journey.  “A lot of people think it’s a sprint, that it should be done quickly,...
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August 13, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 13, 2018 Significant Activity for August 10-13, 2018 Significant Events: Wildfires Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (20%)• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Medium (40%); Disturbance 2: Low (20%)• Central Pacific – Tropical Storm Hector• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests Significant Weather: • Elevated/Critical Fire weather – Or, CA, NV, & ID• Isolated Dry Thunderstorms – MT, ID, WY, NV, UT, & CO• Flash Flooding possible – NY, PA, & NJ• Red Flag Warnings – NV & CO Declaration Activity: • Major Disaster Declaration approved...
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August 12, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 12, 2018 Significant Activity for August 11-12, 2018 Significant Events: Wildfires – CA Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (10%)• Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Low (20%); Disturbance 2: Low (near 0%)• Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 1)• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests Significant Weather: • Elevated/Critical Fire weather – ID, MT, & Northern Plains• Isolated Dry Thunderstorms – MT, ID, WY, NV, UT, & CO• Flash Flooding possible – TX• Red Flag Warnings – NV, CA, ID, MT,...
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August 11, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 11, 2018 Significant Activity – Aug 10-11 Significant Events: Wildfires – CA Tropical Activity: •  Atlantic – Disturbance 1: Low (10%); Disturbance 2: Low (20%)•  Eastern Pacific – Disturbance 1: Low (30%); Tropical Storm Kristy•  Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 3)•  Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests Significant Weather: •  Elevated/critical fire weather – WA, ID, MT, ND, SD, OR, WY, CA, NV, & UT•  Isolated dry thunderstorms – WA, ID, & MT•  Red Flag Warnings – WA, ID, MT, SD, OR,...
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Disaster Survivors Can Get Rebuilding Tips from Local Home Improvement Stores

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster survivors from Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties who are rebuilding and repairing their homes can visit local home improvement stores to get free hazard mitigation consultations from FEMA mitigation representatives. Mitigation advisors will be on-hand to answer questions about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster related damage. Topics include flood insurance and elevating of utilities. Most of the information provided is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA Mitigation Specialists will be available at these stores: CountyLocationsDatesHoursCameronLowe’s Store4705 South Expy 77/83Harlingen, TX 78550Monday, Aug. 20Tues. Aug. 21...
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August 10, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 10, 2018 Significant Activity – Aug 9-10, 2018 Significant Events: CA Wildfires Tropical Activity: •  Atlantic – Post-Tropical Cyclone Debby – Last Advisory; no tropical cyclone activity expected the next 48 hours•  Eastern Pacific –Tropical Storm John; Tropical Storm Kristy•  Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 4)•  Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests Significant Weather: •  Severe thunderstorms possible – Southwest•  Flash flooding possible – Southwest; Southern Rockies to Southern Plains; Mid-Atlantic to Northeast•  Elevated/critical fire weather – Northern CA, NV, OR, &...
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Fact Sheet: FEMA housing recipients must comply with license agreement

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 2,300 Texas households affected by Hurricane Harvey are currently living in temporary housing units (THUs) provided by FEMA. THU occupants may be eligible to stay in their FEMA unit for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration while securing a permanent housing solution, but they must abide by the terms of their license agreement.   Only people listed on the license are allowed to occupy the THU, and the license cannot be transferred to another party. FEMA retains the right to enter the...
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New housing development brings hope to survivors in LaGrange

AUSTIN, Texas – The Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team plans to bring hope to Hurricane Harvey survivors in LaGrange through a planned 64-home subdivision. The subdivision project, Hope Hill, is being funded and developed by the recovery team in collaboration with the nonprofits Samaritans’ Purse and Mennonite Disaster Services.  The goal of Hope Hill is to provide affordable housing to survivors whose homes along the Lower Colorado River flooded after Hurricane Harvey. The project will move residents out of the floodplain and onto higher ground.  Disaster survivors moving into Hope Hill...
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NFIP Proof of Loss claim deadline is just weeks away

AUSTIN, Texas — The time for Hurricane Harvey survivors to file a National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) Proof of Loss claim is drawing to a close. The deadline to file for flood damages is one year from the date of their loss.  Harvey first made landfall in Texas on Aug. 25, 2017, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring for several days after it hit. For this reason, the date of loss varies for property owners. NFIP usually requires policyholders to submit a Proof of Loss claim within 60 days from the date...
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Mattress Mack turns showrooms into shelters

AUSTIN, Texas – As Hurricane Harvey approached Houston last year, thousands of people began gathering their emergency kits and mapping out evacuation routes. Not many Houstonians prepared the way Jim McIngvale did.  “We’d done a fairly decent job of preparing for this hurricane,” said McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, who is better known in the area as “Mattress Mack.” “We had rented about 20 of these 24-foot trucks with 26-foot beds on them, very high off the ground, to get through a lot of water.” What McIngvale hadn’t anticipated was that Harvey...
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Kids: An Important Part of a Family Disaster Plan

AUSTIN, Texas – As September looms, children are looking forward to a new school year. September is also National Preparedness Month, a fine opportunity for parents to involve kids in creating a family disaster plan in case of emergency. Youngsters can be directly involved in putting together a family emergency preparedness kit and in making plans for the care of pets in case of disaster. Talking with kids about the dangers that families can face is an important first step toward preparedness. Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods or acts of terrorism are frightening to...
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How FEMA’s Mitigation Programs Cut Losses in Disasters

AUSTIN, Texas – It has been estimated that for every dollar spent on hazard mitigation, six dollars are saved when trouble strikes. So, whenever the president signs a major disaster declaration for any state, territory or tribal nation, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is automatically triggered for the entire jurisdiction. HMGP authorizes the spending of funds in any area designated by the governor or chief to alleviate the potential damage from future disasters, thus reducing or eliminating the danger to people and buildings and the potential costs of dealing with such...
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If You Need Disaster Assistance, Deadline to Apply is Less Than 30 Days Away

AUSTIN, Texas— If you are a survivor from the severe storms and flooding that occurred from June 19 – July 13, 2018, and your home is still not safe, sanitary and functional, the deadline to apply for aid is Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018,  less than 30 days away.  Even if you have insurance, you can apply for disaster assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but if you are underinsured, you may receive help after your claims have been settled. Applying for disaster assistance is a two-step process that involves FEMA help and...
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August 8, 2018

FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 8, 2018 FEMA Daily Operations Briefing, August 8, 2018 Significant Activity – August 7-8 Significant Events: Wildfires; Hurricane Hector Preparations Tropical Activity: Atlantic – Subtropical Storm Debby Eastern Pacific –Hurricane John (CAT 2); Tropical Storm Kristy; Remnants of Ileana (FINAL) Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 3) Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests Significant Weather: Flash flooding possible – Southwest; Southern Rockies; Southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley; Central Appalachians Elevated fire weather – southern CA Red Flag Warnings – WA and southern...
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If You Didn’t Register With FEMA, You Didn’t Register

AUSTIN, Texas— If you were affected by the severe storms and flooding of June 19 – July 13, 2018, and need federal assistance, and you didn’t register directly with FEMA, you are not registered.  To be considered for aid from FEMA, you must register by going online to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by visiting a disaster recovery center. The deadline to register for disaster assistance from FEMA for Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells County flood survivors is Sept. 4, 2018.   Two common misconceptions regarding registering are:Applying for disaster assistance with other agencies or...
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HUD-Assisted Residents in Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells Counties May be Eligible for More Aid

AUSTIN, Texas – Survivors in Hidalgo, Cameron or Jim Wells County that were impacted by the recent severe storms and flooding and were receiving rental assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) prior to the disaster, may be eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA.  When a HUD-assisted resident's home becomes unlivable, HUD stops paying rental assistance for that residence. The survivor may then apply for FEMA disaster assistance.  Eligible survivors include those who were:Living in HUD-assisted public housing.Living in a privately owned apartment that provides rental assistance...
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