Commission To Rebuild Texas After Hurricane Harvey Update: Issue 24
"As Hurricane Harvey recovery continues and heavy rains and flooding hit portions of the state this week, now is the time to prepare for potential storms ahead this hurricane season. The State is actively readying resources and communication and response strategies to help protect families and property in the event of another hurricane. Because you are your family’s first line of defense, I encourage Texans to put together an emergency supply kit, create a communication plan, prepare homes for storms and heed all warnings from local officials. For more safety and preparedness tips, visit TexasPrepares.org. To check road conditions at any time, visit DriveTexas.org.”
─ Governor Greg Abbott
Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas
- Governor Abbott continues to monitor reports from the coastal region and South Texas after issuing a State Disaster Declaration on Thu., June 21, for six Texas counties impacted by severe weather and flooding, including: Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio and Willacy counties. Prior to the disaster declaration, Governor Abbott ordered the State Operations Center to elevate its readiness level as heavy rain and storms impacted the Texas coast and also made state resources available to assist local officials in response efforts.
- Governor Abbott announced that Texas has been awarded over $13 million in grant funding for the rebuilding of commercial and recreational fishing industries affected by Hurricane Harvey. This announcement came after Governor Abbott sent a letter to Secretary Wilbur Ross requesting that the Department of Commerce recognize a federal fishery resources disaster along the Texas Gulf Coast.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced more than $509 million in funding for multiple projects in Texas, including flood mitigation and critical work for the Brays and Buffalo Bayous, as well as the Matagorda and Corpus Christi Ship Channels. The funding will also provide resources for extensive studies of the Texas coastline to help make the state more resilient to future storms. This funding allocation is in addition to the disaster relief funding previously announced by USACE.
- Governor Abbott again extended the Disaster Proclamation for Texas counties impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
- Governor Abbott joined a video teleconference briefing on hurricane preparedness with President Donald Trump, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, FEMA Administrator Brock Long, cabinet members and governors from across the country. Joining Governor Abbott in Austin were officials from various state agencies that oversee emergency response. The briefing was held to review key lessons learned after the 2017 hurricane season. Following the briefing, the Governor discussed with state officials how Texas is already preparing for the next hurricane.
- The Governor's Commission for Women participated in Hurricane Harvey Relief Resource Fairs for Small Businesses in our coastal communities, listening to small business owners’ needs and referring them to resources as recovery continues.
- Governor Abbott reminds Texans to review their property’s flood risk and current insurance coverage, and to consider whether a separate flood policy should be part of their home protection plan. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before taking effect. Visit FloodSmart.gov to find more information.
- Because of daily outreach, 6,538 reports have been submitted from the field to the Assistance Center at Texas A&M. From those reports, the Assistance Center identified 744 issues needing follow-up or resolution, and all have been resolved as of June 21.
Individual Assistance
- The Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) deadline is June 30, 2018, with a checkout date of July 1, 2018. Disaster victims with questions regarding their TSA program eligibility or status may contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for assistance.
- Current individual assistance numbers are now posted on rebuildtexas.today/recovery-tracker.
- To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center visit fema.gov/drc, or text DRC along with a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA). Survivors also can find help by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362, logging into DisasterAssistance.gov or downloading the FEMA app fema.gov/mobile-app.
- FEMA’s Disaster Distress Helpline offers trained professionals who can help callers cope with anxiety or stress, and guide them to available resources. This toll-free, multilingual and confidential crisis support service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 800-985-5990, 800-846-8517 (TTY) or text TalkWithUs (Spanish-speakers text: Hablanos) to 66746.
Housing
- Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced $6.5 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help replace damaged and destroyed apartment complexes in Rockport.
- Commissioner Bush announced the awarding of $35.4 million in CDBG-DR funds for Harris County to initiate a buyout program for repeatedly flooded homes in Harris County.
- The General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with researchers at the University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Business Research to conduct a survey seeking feedback from homeowners and renters to assess the status of the remaining needs resulting from Hurricane Harvey.
- Commissioner Bush and GLO team members are working with federal, state and local partners monitoring ongoing flooding along the Texas Coast and tracking the impacts of this new flooding on recipients of Harvey housing assistance.
- GLO and FEMA are advising Texans currently living in a FEMA Manufactured Housing Unit (MHU) to protect family and property. MHUs are designed to be exceptionally safe and secure, but all forms of housing are at risk for damage in severe weather. Never take shelter in an MHU during high winds, a tornado, a hurricane or a flood. Stay alert to weather warnings, and always follow the guidance of local officials including evacuation orders. If your MHU is damaged due to severe weather, contact the maintenance number provided when licensed in the unit.
- Reminder: Flood insurance must be maintained to qualify for federal assistance in the future. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders with questions may call 800-621-3362, Mon. to Sat., 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For information, visit FloodSmart.gov.
- Current housing numbers are now posted on rebuildtexas.today/recovery-tracker.
- TexasRebuilds.com is the housing information resource for individuals and communities.
- Follow Twitter.com/TXGLO for pictures of move-in days and updates on housing recovery