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...
Aug
09
Aug
09
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...
Aug
08
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...
Aug
08
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...
Aug
08
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...
Aug
07
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...
Aug
07
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...
Aug
06
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas residents who suffered damage or losses in the severe storms and subsequent flooding that occurred from June 19 through July 13, 2018 should know that their eligibility for disaster assistance will be based on their individual circumstances and needs. The amount and type of housing assistance an individual receives could be completely different from his or her neighbors, even though the damage appears to be similar. For example, one homeowner might have more extensive insurance coverage than the homeowner next door, which could equal more or less aid...
Aug
06
AUSTIN, Texas – While FEMA does not provide direct assistance to businesses or commercial farms, under the agency’s Individuals and Households Program, people (including farmers) whose homes were damaged or destroyed or who qualify for other-needs assistance can seek help from FEMA. Disaster assistance is available through other federal agencies to businesses and farms that have suffered damage to business property or economic losses as a direct result of a presidentially declared disaster. Economic-injury loans are available to businesses located in Cameron, Hidalgo and Jim Wells counties and in all contiguous counties. Low-interest...
Aug
06
FEMA Daily Operations Briefing for August 6, 2018
Significant Activity – Aug 3-6, 2018
Significant Events: Wildfires; Hurricane Hector
Tropical Activity: • Atlantic – Disturbance 1 – Low (20%)• Eastern Pacific –Tropical Storm John; Tropical Storm Ileana; Disturbance 1 – High (80%)• Central Pacific – Hurricane Hector (CAT 4)• Western Pacific – No activity affecting U.S. interests
Significant Weather: • Severe storms – Central High Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley to Lower MI • Flash flooding possible – Central High Plains to Central Plains; Middle Mississippi Valley to Lower MI • ...