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Major Disaster Declaration for Texas (DR-4223-TX)

On May 29, a Major Disaster for the State of Texas was declared as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding during the period beginning on May 4, 2015 and continuing. This declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Harris, Hays, and Van Zandt counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. 

Details of the disaster declaration and assistance programs are as follows:

Declaration Number: FEMA-4223-DR

Incident: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

Incident Period: May 4, 2015, and continuing

Federal Coordinating Officer: Kevin L. Hannes, National FCO Program          

Individual Assistance (IA): (Assistance for individuals and households):

IA-Designated Counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Denton, Eastland, Fort Bend, Gaines, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Van Zandt, Wichita, Williamson, and Wise Counties.

Public Assistance (PA): (Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities):

PA-Designated Counties: Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Bastrop, Baylor, Blanco, Bowie, Burleson, Caldwell, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Fayette, Gaines, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Grimes, Harris,Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Liberty, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Polk, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Walker, Williamson, Wharton, Wilson, Wise, and Zavala Counties.            

Hazard Mitigation (HM): (Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards):

HM-Designated Areas: All areas in the State of Texas are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Individuals in Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Denton, Eastland, Fort Bend, Gaines, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Johnson, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Rusk, Smith, Travis, Van Zandt, Wichita, Williamson, and Wise Counties can register with FEMA the following ways:

Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  

Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.

Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Texas Flood Resources

• To qualify for assistance, register your sustained damage with FEMA: 1-800-621-3362.

• FEMA app for iPhone includes emergency information by county here.

• Red Cross disaster assistance: 1-877-500-8645.

• If you are in need of help or would like to volunteer, call 211

• For information on Texas road closures click here.

• Click here to list you and your family with the Red Cross as safe.

• See safety tips for severe weather here.

• For assistance filing a personal claim, call the Texas Department of Insurance's Consumer: 1-800-252-3439.

Know Your Risk Before a Flood:

Do your homework. Be aware of the potential flooding risks for the particular area where you live.

Familiarize yourself with the terms used to identify a flooding hazard. Some of the more common terms used are:

A Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible.  Be prepared to move to higher ground; monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

A Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

Flash Flood Safety Tips

Nearly 50 percent of all flash flood fatalities nationwide involve vehicles. Saving your life can be as easy as turning your car around when you see water on the road. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

Even in relatively shallow water, tires can act as flotation devices, lifting up big vehicles and sending them downstream. It takes only two feet of water to float a 3,000-pound car.

Beware that water covering roadways may hide washed-out bridges or gouged-out roadbeds. If you attempt to drive across, you may not be driving on a road.

In rainy weather, be alert and stay tuned to local radio or TV.

If you are in a low-lying area when flooding is occurring, get to higher ground quickly. And be sure to avoid canyons and washes that can channel swift water.

Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or streams on foot. It can take as little as six inches of water to knock an adult off his or her feet. Furthermore, water may be flowing more rapidly than it appears.

Never allow children to play near ditches and storm drains.

During stormy weather, do not camp or park vehicles along streams or washes.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flood dangers.

Take Action Before and During a Flood:

Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

Listen to local officials and monitor your local radio or television for information.

Do not drive into flooded areas. Turn Around; Don’t Drown. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

Do not walk through flowing water.  Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off your feet.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are now being sent directly to many cell phones on participating wireless carriers' networks.  WEAs sent by public safety officials such as the National Weather Service are designed to get your attention and   to provide brief, critical instructions to warn about imminent threats like severe weather.  Take the alert seriously and follow instructions.  More information is available on WEA at www.fema.gov/wireless-emergency-alerts. 

Please find the following fact sheets on the disaster declaration criteria, declaration process and FEMA programs:

A Guide to the Disaster Declaration Process and Federal Disaster Assistance

Disaster Declaration Criteria

Assistance to Individuals and Households

FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Sequence of Delivery

Public Assistance Fact Sheet

The Public Assistance Process: In Four Easy Steps