AUSTIN, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $1.2 million for the City of Groves to remove debris deposited by Hurricane Harvey.  The cost of debris removal in Groves is nearly $1.4 million. The grant of more than $1.2 million is the federal share of the cost and requires a 10 percent nonfederal match by the applicant, or $137,964. This grant comes from FEMA’s Public Assistance grant program which reimburses communities for actions taken in the immediate response to and during recovery from a disaster. Eligible applicants...

A survivor story: One year after Hurricane Harvey AUSTIN, Texas – Rose Pickens knew more about floods and federal disaster assistance than most people when Hurricane Harvey hit. She had received aid from FEMA after her house was damaged in the Memorial Day 2016 flood, and through her role as director of a local nonprofit, she had assisted many impoverished families whose homes had flooded.    Nonetheless, her family’s road to recovery after Harvey presented a slow, daunting journey.  “A lot of people think it’s a sprint, that it should be done quickly,...

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster survivors from Hidalgo, Cameron and Jim Wells counties who are rebuilding and repairing their homes can visit local home improvement stores to get free hazard mitigation consultations from FEMA mitigation representatives. Mitigation advisors will be on-hand to answer questions about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster related damage. Topics include flood insurance and elevating of utilities. Most of the information provided is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors. FEMA Mitigation Specialists will be available at these stores: CountyLocationsDatesHoursCameronLowe’s Store4705 South Expy 77/83Harlingen, TX 78550Monday, Aug. 20Tues. Aug. 21...

AUSTIN, Texas — More than 2,300 Texas households affected by Hurricane Harvey are currently living in temporary housing units (THUs) provided by FEMA. THU occupants may be eligible to stay in their FEMA unit for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration while securing a permanent housing solution, but they must abide by the terms of their license agreement.   Only people listed on the license are allowed to occupy the THU, and the license cannot be transferred to another party. FEMA retains the right to enter the...

AUSTIN, Texas – The Fayette County Disaster Recovery Team plans to bring hope to Hurricane Harvey survivors in LaGrange through a planned 64-home subdivision. The subdivision project, Hope Hill, is being funded and developed by the recovery team in collaboration with the nonprofits Samaritans’ Purse and Mennonite Disaster Services.  The goal of Hope Hill is to provide affordable housing to survivors whose homes along the Lower Colorado River flooded after Hurricane Harvey. The project will move residents out of the floodplain and onto higher ground.  Disaster survivors moving into Hope Hill...

AUSTIN, Texas — The time for Hurricane Harvey survivors to file a National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) Proof of Loss claim is drawing to a close. The deadline to file for flood damages is one year from the date of their loss.  Harvey first made landfall in Texas on Aug. 25, 2017, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring for several days after it hit. For this reason, the date of loss varies for property owners. NFIP usually requires policyholders to submit a Proof of Loss claim within 60 days from the date...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...