Official website of the Department of Homeland SecurityOriginal linkOriginal author: mary.j.edmon

AUSTIN, Texas — Disaster can strike unexpectedly, as it did for many Hurricane Harvey survivors who never expected their homes to flood. Sign up for flood insurance today and help protect yourself against the cost of catastrophic water damage. Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, and it can occur almost anywhere — not just in high-risk areas. A single inch of water in an average home can cause more than $26,000 in damage. But homeowners and renters insurance typically do not cover flood damage. If your community...

AUSTIN, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $8 million to the Texas Department of State Health Services for mosquito control efforts following Hurricane Harvey.  The Department of State Health Services sprayed insecticide to control mosquitos in over 3.9 million acres across Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, DeWitt, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Lavaca, Newton, Nueces, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Walker, Waller and Wharton counties.  One FEMA grant covered the majority of the vector control. FEMA funded 100 percent of the projects’ costs, or...

Math Career Carnival shows Nacogdoches students they can make a differenceAUSTIN, Texas — Getting 5th graders interested in math can be hard. At the recent Central Heights Elementary School Math Career Carnival, student-teachers from Stephen F. Austin State University tried games, art, prizes and other techniques. But it was the thrill of helping their community that captured kids’ imaginations. “The [other booths] had all these really clever ways of making learning fun, so I just knew those were going to be the fun booths. But no,” said FEMA’s Elizabeth Redfearn, who helped...

AUSTIN, Texas — Hurricane Harvey survivors living in temporary housing units (THUs) provided by FEMA and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) need to solidify their housing plans leading into Feb. 25.  Those who continue to meet FEMA eligibility requirements may be approved to remain in their current THU through Aug. 25 by paying rent. Others may be eligible to purchase their unit. However, these programs must be approved by local officials and may not be available in all areas. The THU and direct-lease-apartment program was originally planned to run through Feb....