We have organized the following webpage to assist constituents in the recovery process. In addition, we encourage you to visit
www.fema.gov/disaster/4332 to find the latest information on filing an insurance claim, cleaning/mucking your home and general guidance on the recovery process.
If you have not yet filed a claim with FEMA, please do so as soon as possible at
www.disasterassistance.gov.
The deadline to apply has been extended to November 30, 2017.
In the meantime, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for email alerts to receive up-to-the-minute information on the recovery process. If our staff may assist you in any way, please call us at any of the following numbers:
Deer Park: 832-780-0966
Orange: 409-883-8075
Woodville: 844-303-8934
Washington: 202-225-1555
Mobile Office Hours (Sept. 18-22)
Our staff is holding mobile office hours across the district to assist folks in applying for disaster assistance and provide access to a computer. These are mean't to supplement our permanent offices in Deer Park, Orange and Woodville. Additional dates will be annpouced soon. To be notified, sign up for email alerts here: https://babin.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=33
Disaster Clean-Up and Inspections
There are reports that disaster survivors should not remove flood-damaged sheetrock, flooring, carpet, etc. until the house is assessed by FEMA or insurance adjustors. This is FALSE. Property owners are encouraged to document storm damage to their properties – either with photographs or video – and to then begin cleaning up and making whatever temporary repairs are necessary to make their homes safe and habitable again. Put your health and safety first, take pictures of your damaged home, make repairs to prevent further damage to your property, and keep your receipts to show the inspector. Here are a few simple guidelines to follow that will make the clean-up and salvage process safer and easier.
Below are a few simple guidelines from FEMA to follow that will make the clean-up and salvage process safer and easier:
- Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.
- Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines and other exterior damage.
- Take photos of your damage before you begin clean up and save repair receipts.
- Your home may be contaminated with mold, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies and breathing conditions. Refer to the Center for Disease Control for more info on mold: www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/pdf/flyer-get-rid-of-mold.pdf.
- Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.
- Turn off main electrical power and water systems and don’t use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.
- Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.
- Throw out all foods, beverages and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.
- Also, throw out any items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected (mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).
- Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
- Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with flood waters.
- Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.
Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance
Residents living in the following counties are eligible to receive federal funds to help recover from Harvey: Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Karnes, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Tyler, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton. Residents can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also file by downloading the FEMA mobile app here: https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app. If you do not have access to the internet you may register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).
How Can I Appeal FEMA’s Decision?
All appeals must be filed in writing to FEMA. You should explain why you think the decision is incorrect. When submitting the letter, you should include:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Address of the damaged dwelling
- FEMA registration number
In addition, the letter must either be 1) notarized and include a copy of a state-issued ID card or 2) include the following statement, “I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.” The applicant must sign the letter.
If someone other than the applicant or the co-applicant writes and submits the letter, there must be a signed statement from the applicant affirming that the person may act on the applicant’s behalf. You should keep a copy of the appeal for your records.
Appeal letters must be postmarked or received by fax within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.
By mail:
FEMA – Individuals and Households Program
National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville MD 20782-7055
By fax:
800-827-8112
Attention: FEMA – Individuals and Households Program
Visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) offer in-person support to individuals and businesses in 39 counties included in the Texas federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent floods. Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the State and other agencies will be at the center to talk about assistance and to help anyone who needs guidance in filing an application.
Be sure to visit FEMA's DRC locator tool here to make sure the center is still open.
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County Convention and Expo Center
11475 FM 1442
Orange, TX 77630
Services: Registration, status update, SBA. Thur-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Services: Registration. Mon-Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Administration Building
123 South 6th Street
Orange TX 77630
Hours: Thursday- Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Services Available: Registration, status update, SBA and others.
Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Services Available: Registration assistance.
Closed Sundays
Vidor Police Station
(Building behind Police Department)
695 E. Railroad St.
Vidor TX 77662
Services: Registration, status update, SBA. Mon-Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Services: Registration. Thurs-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Sundays
TYLER COUNTY
Tractor Supply
1211 South Magnolia Rd.
Woodville, TX 75979
Services: Registration, status update, SBA. Thur- Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Services: Registration. Mon-Wed 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Sundays
HARDIN COUNTY
Pinewood Fire Station
333 Commercial Drive
Sour Lake TX 77659
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
JASPER COUNTY
Jasper County Courthouse Annex
271 East Lamar Street
Jasper TX 75951
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
CHAMBERS COUNTY
American Legion
1704 South Main Street
Anahuac TX 77514
Opening Day: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
NEWTON COUNTY
Deweyville Senior Citizen Center
43435 State Hwy 87 S
Orange TX 77614
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
LIBERTY COUNTY
Dayton Chamber of Commerce (inside Dayton Community Center)
801 S. Cleveland Street B
Dayton, TX 77535
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
HARRIS COUNTY
Webster Civic Center
311 Pennsylvania Avenue
Webster TX 77598
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Baytown Community Center
2407 Market Street
Baytown TX 77520
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Pasadena Convention Center
7902 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena TX 77507
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
POLK COUNTY
Dunbar Gym Facility
1103 Dunbar Street
Livingston, TX 77351
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 7 days a week
FEMA - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you have a question about the disaster assistance process? Click here for a list answers to many of the frequently asked questions regarding the recovery process.
Cleanup Help for Survivors
If you need help cleaning up flood-damaged homes, call the Cleanup Assistance Hotline: (844) 965-1386. This service will connect Texas survivors with volunteer groups who help muck-and-gut damaged homes.
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
FEMA Hiring Locally
FEMA is hiring locally for Texans to work on Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery. Some of the positions include American Sign Language interpreters, bookkeepers, accountants, auditing clerks, certified deaf interpreters, civil engineers, claims adjusters, congressional liaisons, examiners, couriers, messengers, customer support representatives (multiple languages), disability integration advisors, GIS specialists, graphic designers, writers, IT specialists and administrative assistants, among others.
All positions are temporary full time positions with pay ranging from $14 to $37 per hour depending on the position. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to pass a background check to be considered for employment.
If you know of anyone interested that would like to apply they can visit www.workintexas.com and search “FEMA” under the “search all jobs” option.
Red Cross Financial Assistance
Red Cross will provide $400 to qualified Texas households that were severely impacted by Harvey and need help taking care of emergency needs right now. Severely impacted households that need immediate assistance can apply at redcross.org/HHIA. You can apply on your cell phone, computer or tablet with a valid email address. Registration will remain open through October 10.
Rumor Control
There is a lot of false information and scams circulating the internet regarding Harvey. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For an on-going list of rumors and their true or false status, visit https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey-rumor-control. Please tell a friend, share this page, and help spread accurate information.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Information
SBA offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. SBA will be alongside FEMA at Disaster and Business Recovery Centers, providing assistance to disaster survivors. At the centers, disaster survivors will be able to apply in person, and get counseling on the next steps toward recovery.
Apply online, in-person at a disaster center, or by mail. A loan officer will determine your eligibility during processing, after reviewing any insurance or other recoveries. SBA can make a loan while your insurance recovery is pending.
- As a business of any size, you may borrow up to $2 million for physical damage.
- As a small business, small agricultural cooperative, small business engaged in aquaculture, or private non-profit organization you may borrow up to $2 million for Economic Injury.
- As a small business, you may apply for a maximum business loan (physical and/or economic injury) of $2 million.
- As a homeowner you may borrow up to $200,000 to repair/replace your disaster damaged primary residence
- As a homeowner or renter, you may borrow up to $40,000 to repair/replace damaged personal property.
For more information about SBA Disaster Loans, visit disasterloan.sba.gov. Our Customer Service Center is also available to provide assistance at 1-800-659-2955 or by e-mail at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov(link sends e-mail).
How to Help
Donations
The most effective way to support disaster survivors in their recovery is to donate money and time to trusted, reputable, voluntary or charitable organizations. Individuals, corporations, and volunteers, can learn more about how to help on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) website. In addition to the national members, The Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD) has a list of vetted disaster relief organizations providing services to survivors. Texas VOAD represents more than three dozen faith-based, community, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations.
Volunteering
The State of Texas is asking volunteers to not self-deploy, as unexpectedly showing up to any of the communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey will create an additional burden for first responders. To ensure volunteer safety, as well as the safety of disaster survivors, volunteers should only go into affected areas with a specific volunteer assignment, proper safety gear, and valid identification. At this time, potential volunteers are asked to register with a voluntary or charitable organization of their choice, many of which are already in Texas and supporting survivors on the ground. The National and Texas VOAD websites are offering links to those who wish to register to volunteer with community- and faith-based organizations working in the field.
Unemployement Benefits
Hurricane Harvey survivors have access to Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in 39 counties included in the presidential disaster declaration, and the time to apply has been extended to Oct. 31, 2017.
DUA is available to survivors who:
- Would not be eligible for normal unemployment benefits, such as self-employed persons and farm workers.
- Worked or were self-employed or scheduled to begin work or self-employment in the disaster area.
- Can no longer work or perform service due to physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey.
- Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform is a direct result of Hurricane Harvey.
- Cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey.
- Became the breadwinner or major support of household due to the death of the head of household.
Applications may be made online through Texas Workforce Center’s website, twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/disaster-unemployment-assistance, or by calling the TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days of when the DUA application is filed. This includes Social Security number, a copy of the most recent federal income tax form or check stubs, and documentation to support that you were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred.
Farmers and Ranchers Recovery Assistance
USDA offers a variety of programs and services to help those who suffered damage from Harvey. Visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster for more information and be sure to contact your county FSA office with any questions:
Harris: 281-469-7856 x2
Liberty, Chambers and Hardin: 936-336-9145 x2
Orange: 409-860-7293 x2
Jasper, Newton and Tyler: 409-384-3332 x2
Polk: 936-327-8911x2
Veterans Resources
VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan in response to Hurricane Harvey. Eligible veterans with a VA ID Card needing an emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any CVS or HEB pharmacy with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle to receive a 14-day supply. Veterans needing assistance can also call the Heritage Health Solutions Veterans Help line at 1-866 265-0124 to speak to a representative. For important updates regarding VA operations in Texas and the benefits that may apply, click here.
Additional Resources
- To help people affected by the storm, visit @nvoad’s page for a listed of trusted organizations: https://www.nvoad.org
- To find friends and family or to register yourself as safe, visit: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/
- For road closures across Texas click here.
- Towed Cars (Houston): 713-308-8580; www.findmytowedcar.com
- Download the Red Cross App for important disaster information.
- For helpful info on insurance from Texas Department of Insurance, click here.
