AUSTIN, Texas – Joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) and a Mobile DRC will be opening Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 in Harris, Jefferson, and Chambers County to help disaster survivors affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.  Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), local and state agencies will be at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance. The centers will be at the following locations:  Harris...

BATON ROUGE, La. — At the request of the state of Louisiana, St. Mary Parish has been added to the disaster declaration for flooding that occurred May 10 through July 24, 2019. FEMA’s Public Assistance funding will supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the flooding. FEMA’s Public Assistance funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency and permanent work in Assumption, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Iberville, Ouachita, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Martin, St....

AUSTIN, Texas – More than two years after Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast, some children in Orange County are still struggling as they try to deal with loss and change. To help combat these feelings and prepare children for future events, Orange County Disaster Rebuild, a long-term recovery group, sponsored Camp Noah at the North Orange Baptist Church this summer.  Students majoring in education, applied psychology, and rehabilitation and human services from the Penn State-Berks campus, led by Dr. Jayne M. Leh responded to the need. Leh said many of...

AUSTIN, Texas – State and federal disaster recovery officials urge Texans affected by Tropical Storm Imelda to watch for and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud. As government agencies and charitable groups continue providing disaster assistance to Texans affected by the recent tropical storm, scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals may attempt to prey on vulnerable survivors. The most common post-disaster fraud practices include phony housing inspectors, fraudulent building contractors, bogus pleas for disaster donations and fake offers of state or federal aid. Local, state and federal government officials advise all...

AUSTIN, Texas – Joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will be opening Wednesday, October 16 at New Caney in Montgomery County and Thursday, October 17 at Liberty in Liberty County to help disaster survivors affected by Tropical Storm Imelda.  Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), local and state agencies will be at the center to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance. The centers will be at the following locations:...