AUSTIN, Texas – A joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be opening Monday, Oct. 14, in Orange 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 center is located at the following address, along with the SBA Business Recovery Center:Orange County Convention and Expo...

BATON ROUGE, La. — At the request of the state of Louisiana, Cameron and St. Landry parishes have been added to the August 27 major disaster declaration for preparations and damages related to Hurricane Barry. Two other parishes, Pointe Coupee and St. Martin parishes are now eligible for permanent work. These two parishes were previously designated for emergency work only. The additional parishes are now eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) funding to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Barry between July 10 and 15, 2019....

AUSTIN, Texas – Housing inspectors and Disaster Survivor Assistance teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have hit the streets in six Texas counties to help survivors of Tropical Storm Imelda get connected with potential assistance.If you live in an affected area, you may encounter Disaster Survivor Assistance teams as they go door to door to answer questions about the types of help available, help survivors apply for federal assistance, update applicants’ contact information and help with referrals to disaster recovery partners. Team members wear blue FEMA shirts.Inspections occur after...

A former golf course is now an innovative park designed to hold 500 million gallons of stormwater AUSTIN, Texas — Hurricane Harvey flooded thousands of Texas homes in August 2017, but about 150 in Clear Lake City stayed dry because of an innovative collaboration between the local water authority and the community.  In 2005 the owner of a golf course on the southeast edge of Houston announced he planned to close the course and develop homes and businesses in its place. The Clear Lake City Water Authority evaluated the impact of the...

AUSTIN, Texas –– Texas residents with National Flood Insurance Program policies are beginning to file claims for damages caused by Tropical Storm Imelda. Statewide, residents have filed nearly 10,200 flood insurance claims since Sept. 17, the day the storm made landfall. Policy holders should follow these steps:  Immediately following flood damage: Contact your insurance agent to report your loss. Depending on the severity of the event, an insurance adjuster will contact you within a few days of starting your claim.Ask the adjustor if you are eligible for an advance payment to...