Copperfield Sun - News
Texas government responds to Ike
Hutchison Convenes “Team Texas” to Coordinate Federal Funding for Hurricane Ike Recovery before Congress Adjourns
At a Capitol Hill press conference today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–TX), Texas’ senior Senator, joined with seven members of the Texas Congressional delegation to coordinate their joint efforts to secure federal funding for the recovery from Hurricane Ike before the end of September.
Sen. Hutchison was joined by Representatives Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Al Green (D-TX), and Gene Green (D-TX), whose districts were directly impacted by the hurricane. Also in attendance were Texas Congressmen Chet Edwards (D-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), John Carter (R-TX), and Ciro Rodriquez (D-TX), all of whom serve on the House Appropriations Committee. All the members of Congress stressed their resolve in delivering federal funding for recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike before Congress adjourns for the election season.
“I have just come from Galveston and Houston and the whole area that has been devastated by this storm,” said Sen. Hutchison. “The damage is going to be enormous. The damage to the navigation equipment, the ports in Galveston and Houston, all throughout the Gulf Coast, will be out of commission for probably a couple of weeks if we’re lucky. We have oil refineries down. Galveston not only doesn’t have power, it doesn’t have potable water or operating sewer facilities either.
“Our Texas delegation has already come together today to start planning for the supplemental that will be needed to help us through Ike. We are here working on a package that we will all support that will help this disaster recovery for our great state. All of us here signed a letter to the President yesterday asking him to extend the hundred percent reimbursement for debris removal. It had been in place for 72 hours and he has extended that to two weeks. That is going to be very helpful to the areas affected, knowing that they will be able to get reimbursement for extra costs of removing trees from the streets, boats from the causeway and all through Galveston, and also taking the trees off power lines. The key is getting power back to the 2 million residents who still don’t have it.”
Sen. Hutchison noted that Texans could contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting http://www.FEMAEvacHotels.com.
Sen. Hutchison, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also indicated that she would work to attach disaster funding for Hurricane Ike recovery to the Continuing Resolution (C.R.). The C.R. is a broad spending measure that will be considered on the Senate floor this working session. Damage assessments are starting to come in from the state and federal agencies who are conducting them.
Sen. Hutchison Asks White House to Extend
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior Senator, and eight members of Congress today sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking that the duration of the 100% federal cost share for debris removal be extended beyond the originally announced 72 hours. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Reps. John Carter (R-TX), Chet Edwards (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), John Culberson (R-TX), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Ted Poe (R-TX) signed the letter, but additional members were expected to support the request.
“The federal government has agreed to underwrite 100% of the cost of debris removal for 72 hours, but we need more time,” said Sen. Hutchison. “In many communities, state and emergency officials have been unable to begin the debris removal process and so we are requesting that the timeline be extended.”
TEXT OF THE LETTER:
September 15, 2008
Dear President Bush,
We appreciate the efforts currently underway by the Federal Government to assist Texas residents impacted by Hurricane Ike. We have all witnessed the courage of our first responders and remain grateful that so many lives have been spared. Although we are still learning the exact extent of damage, early assessments paint a very dire picture. Over 2.2 million residents are currently without power, thousands of residents have been displaced, and many fear returning to a completely destroyed home in the coming weeks.
We are 48 hours out from landfall of Hurricane Ike, and we are just now entering some of the most heavily impacted areas of Texas including the Bolivar Peninsula. Still in a search and rescue mode, Texas remains days if not weeks away from commencing widespread debris removal operations. Furthermore, until debris can be cleared, local government cannot be fully operational.
As a result of the devastation of Hurricane Ike, State, Local and Federal Officials have requested that displaced residents not return to their homes. Many communities remain underwater or are inaccessible due to the significant debris left in the wake of the storm. On the day Hurricane Ike came ashore, you granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas including 100 percent reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Your declaration provides this vital reimbursement for 72 hours.
Due to the severity of the destruction to the Texas Gulf Coast, and the inevitable strain damage will put on our communities; we are urging you to extend the duration of 100 percent cost share reimbursement under FEMA Public Assistance Categories A and B. The extension of this critical support will ensure the State of Texas and impacted residents are able to recover as quickly as possible. We ask for your consideration of this request in light of these circumstances.
Thank you for your attention to this important request. The Texas delegation looks forward to working with your Administration as Texas begins the process of rebuilding.
Gov. Perry: Texas Takes Steps to Accelerate Relief Efforts
Issues Directive to Expedite Power Restoration; State Receives Federal Housing and Food Stamp Assistance; Provides Latest Hurricane Relief Efforts Online
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today issued an emergency proclamation authorizing public utility companies in Texas to speed relief and recovery efforts by laying temporary electric transmission lines to restore power lost as a result of Hurricane Ike. Perry also met with President Bush during his visits to Houston and Galveston to survey storm-affected areas.
“Restoring power is one of the most critical, humanitarian challenges we face in the immediate aftermath of this natural disaster,” Perry said. “This proclamation will help public utility companies restore electricity faster to millions of homes, hospitals, schools and businesses affected by Hurricane Ike.”
The governor’s proclamation will grant public utilities in Texas the authority to enter public and private property and install temporary electric transmission lines to restore power in East Texas and along the coast. The directive removes the lengthy easement acquisition process which could otherwise take months. Companies must use existing utility and roadway easements when reasonably available, and must also provide landowners with a letter justifying their authority to access private grounds. Gov. Perry took the same action following Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Power companies in areas affected by Hurricane Ike continue to work around the clock to restore electricity. To date, power has been restored to 800,000 customers; however nearly 2 million customers remain without power. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has launched a feature on its website to allow customers to check power outages by entering their utility provider and zip code at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/files/ike.cfm.
At the state’s request, federal transitional housing assistance is now available to those Texas evacuees with inaccessible or uninhabitable homes. The list of approved hotels/motels can be found at: www.femaevachotels.com. Please note that the number of approved hotels/motels is constantly being updated. To register for transitional housing assistance, visit www.fema.gov or call toll free at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
Monday evening, at the state’s request, the federal government granted Texas a federal waiver to provide emergency food stamps to eligible low-income individuals and families living in any of the 29 counties that were declared disaster areas. Current food stamp recipients living in those areas will automatically receive replacement benefits for a portion of their September benefits. In addition, residents in Rusk and Leon counties will also receive replacement for a portion of their September benefits due to extensive power outages in that area. The replacement benefits will help more than 500,000 Texans in areas where power outages or flooding damaged or destroyed a family's food supply.
For a comprehensive overview of the state’s activity related to Hurricane Ike response and recovery, please visit the Hurricane Center on the governor’s website at: http://www.governor.state.tx.us.
Search and rescue (SAR) efforts are ongoing along the Texas coast. To date, more than 3,540 residents from coastal areas have been rescued by air, ground and water. As of Tuesday afternoon, 270 shelters were open throughout the state housing more than 29,800 evacuees; more than 1,322 truckloads of water and 1,161 truckloads of ice have been distributed throughout the storm-affected areas.
Texas residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another state may call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 2-1-1 network and obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
Texas residents displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another area of Texas may call 2-1-1 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
Evacuees cautioned not to re-enter damaged areas prematurely
Emergency management officials are appealing to residents of Texas and Louisiana who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Ike’s landfall to stay put.
“This hurricane has caused devastation across areas of Texas and Louisiana,” said Chief David R. Paulison, Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Along with our federal, state and local partners, FEMA is working around the clock to get live-saving assistance into the hardest hit areas. We need everyone’s cooperation to keep passable roads clear and to prevent those returning from placing additional burdens on the limited shelter, food and water in the heavily impacted areas.”
Many residents in Texas and Louisiana heeded evacuation orders and made the safe choice to leave areas threatened by Hurricane Ike. Early reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of customers are without power in impacted areas, and for some, it may be many days or weeks before power and other essential utilities are fully restored.
Returning residents could face blocked and washed out roads, downed power lines across highways, unsafe road crossings due to flooding and many other dangers. Many storm related deaths occur when residents return to their communities and homes, a statistic FEMA is trying to minimize in Ike’s wake.
“We know people are anxious to return home, but we are asking for everyone’s patience in waiting for the all clear,” said Paulison. “Our greatest concern is the safety of Texas and Louisiana residents, first responders and rescue workers.”
FEMA pre-staged emergency response teams and critical commodities such as water and meals ready-to-eat (MREs), and tarps in strategic locations in Texas and Louisiana. Convoys of supplies are moving into heavily impacted areas but with many roads damaged or impassable, it may be several days before emergency workers are able to reach all the victims of Ike.
FEMA recommends that evacuees tune to local news coverage wherever they are located for ongoing response and recovery information. Federal, state and local officials will work with the media in these areas to communicate emergency information as it becomes available.
FEMA also reemphasized that volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency. Self-dispatched volunteers can put themselves and others in harm's way and hamper rescue efforts. To learn how you can volunteer or how to make a donation, go to the www.fema.gov
Federal aid programs for texas disaster recovery
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster declaration issued for Texas.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.
Direct Federal Assistance:
FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The state shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task.
How to Apply for Assistance:
Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Rep. Green and “Team Texas” to coordinate federal funding for hurricane Ike recovery
U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston) joined U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–Texas) and six other members of the Texas Congressional delegation to coordinate their joint efforts to secure federal funding for the recovery from Hurricane Ike before the end of September.
Green was joined by Reps. Al Green (D-Houston) and Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) whose districts were also directly impacted by the hurricane. Also in attendance were Reps. Chet Edwards (D-Waco), Kay Granger (R-Ft. Worth), John Carter (R-Round Rock), and Ciro Rodriquez (D-San Antonio), all of whom serve on the House Appropriations Committee. All the Members of Congress stressed their resolve in delivering federal funding for recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike before Congress adjourns for the election season.
“Ike tore through the eastern part of our district in Baytown. I saw the devastation through the weekend and arrived in Washington late last night,” Green said. “Much of our district is still without power, from downtown Houston all the way out to Baytown. The situation is improving compared to yesterday, but full recovery will be a long road.”
Green said he and his staff have been on the ground to help with the recovery effort. “We’re making sure those P.O.D. centers that FEMA is staffing work seamlessly today. Representatives from my staff are actually at these P.O.D.s [points of distribution] because we don’t have power in our offices in the district. FEMA is doing a good job so far and it seems we've avoided the major mistakes of Katrina,” he said.
Green noted that Texans can contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting
http://www.FEMAEvacHotels.com.
Green said the group of Texas lawmakers is working to attach disaster funding for Hurricane Ike recovery to the upcoming Continuing Resolution (C.R.). The C.R. is a broad spending measure that will be considered by Congress this working session.
At a Capitol Hill press conference today U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–TX), Texas’ senior Senator, joined with seven members of the Texas Congressional delegation to coordinate their joint efforts to secure federal funding for the recovery from Hurricane Ike before the end of September.
Sen. Hutchison was joined by Representatives Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Al Green (D-TX), and Gene Green (D-TX), whose districts were directly impacted by the hurricane. Also in attendance were Texas Congressmen Chet Edwards (D-TX), Kay Granger (R-TX), John Carter (R-TX), and Ciro Rodriquez (D-TX), all of whom serve on the House Appropriations Committee. All the members of Congress stressed their resolve in delivering federal funding for recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike before Congress adjourns for the election season.
“I have just come from Galveston and Houston and the whole area that has been devastated by this storm,” said Sen. Hutchison. “The damage is going to be enormous. The damage to the navigation equipment, the ports in Galveston and Houston, all throughout the Gulf Coast, will be out of commission for probably a couple of weeks if we’re lucky. We have oil refineries down. Galveston not only doesn’t have power, it doesn’t have potable water or operating sewer facilities either.
“Our Texas delegation has already come together today to start planning for the supplemental that will be needed to help us through Ike. We are here working on a package that we will all support that will help this disaster recovery for our great state. All of us here signed a letter to the President yesterday asking him to extend the hundred percent reimbursement for debris removal. It had been in place for 72 hours and he has extended that to two weeks. That is going to be very helpful to the areas affected, knowing that they will be able to get reimbursement for extra costs of removing trees from the streets, boats from the causeway and all through Galveston, and also taking the trees off power lines. The key is getting power back to the 2 million residents who still don’t have it.”
Sen. Hutchison noted that Texans could contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting http://www.FEMAEvacHotels.com.
Sen. Hutchison, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also indicated that she would work to attach disaster funding for Hurricane Ike recovery to the Continuing Resolution (C.R.). The C.R. is a broad spending measure that will be considered on the Senate floor this working session. Damage assessments are starting to come in from the state and federal agencies who are conducting them.
Sen. Hutchison Asks White House to Extend
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior Senator, and eight members of Congress today sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking that the duration of the 100% federal cost share for debris removal be extended beyond the originally announced 72 hours. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Reps. John Carter (R-TX), Chet Edwards (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), John Culberson (R-TX), Kevin Brady (R-TX), Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Ted Poe (R-TX) signed the letter, but additional members were expected to support the request.
“The federal government has agreed to underwrite 100% of the cost of debris removal for 72 hours, but we need more time,” said Sen. Hutchison. “In many communities, state and emergency officials have been unable to begin the debris removal process and so we are requesting that the timeline be extended.”
TEXT OF THE LETTER:
September 15, 2008
Dear President Bush,
We appreciate the efforts currently underway by the Federal Government to assist Texas residents impacted by Hurricane Ike. We have all witnessed the courage of our first responders and remain grateful that so many lives have been spared. Although we are still learning the exact extent of damage, early assessments paint a very dire picture. Over 2.2 million residents are currently without power, thousands of residents have been displaced, and many fear returning to a completely destroyed home in the coming weeks.
We are 48 hours out from landfall of Hurricane Ike, and we are just now entering some of the most heavily impacted areas of Texas including the Bolivar Peninsula. Still in a search and rescue mode, Texas remains days if not weeks away from commencing widespread debris removal operations. Furthermore, until debris can be cleared, local government cannot be fully operational.
As a result of the devastation of Hurricane Ike, State, Local and Federal Officials have requested that displaced residents not return to their homes. Many communities remain underwater or are inaccessible due to the significant debris left in the wake of the storm. On the day Hurricane Ike came ashore, you granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas including 100 percent reimbursement for debris removal and emergency protective measures. Your declaration provides this vital reimbursement for 72 hours.
Due to the severity of the destruction to the Texas Gulf Coast, and the inevitable strain damage will put on our communities; we are urging you to extend the duration of 100 percent cost share reimbursement under FEMA Public Assistance Categories A and B. The extension of this critical support will ensure the State of Texas and impacted residents are able to recover as quickly as possible. We ask for your consideration of this request in light of these circumstances.
Thank you for your attention to this important request. The Texas delegation looks forward to working with your Administration as Texas begins the process of rebuilding.
Gov. Perry: Texas Takes Steps to Accelerate Relief Efforts
Issues Directive to Expedite Power Restoration; State Receives Federal Housing and Food Stamp Assistance; Provides Latest Hurricane Relief Efforts Online
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today issued an emergency proclamation authorizing public utility companies in Texas to speed relief and recovery efforts by laying temporary electric transmission lines to restore power lost as a result of Hurricane Ike. Perry also met with President Bush during his visits to Houston and Galveston to survey storm-affected areas.
“Restoring power is one of the most critical, humanitarian challenges we face in the immediate aftermath of this natural disaster,” Perry said. “This proclamation will help public utility companies restore electricity faster to millions of homes, hospitals, schools and businesses affected by Hurricane Ike.”
The governor’s proclamation will grant public utilities in Texas the authority to enter public and private property and install temporary electric transmission lines to restore power in East Texas and along the coast. The directive removes the lengthy easement acquisition process which could otherwise take months. Companies must use existing utility and roadway easements when reasonably available, and must also provide landowners with a letter justifying their authority to access private grounds. Gov. Perry took the same action following Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Power companies in areas affected by Hurricane Ike continue to work around the clock to restore electricity. To date, power has been restored to 800,000 customers; however nearly 2 million customers remain without power. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has launched a feature on its website to allow customers to check power outages by entering their utility provider and zip code at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/files/ike.cfm.
At the state’s request, federal transitional housing assistance is now available to those Texas evacuees with inaccessible or uninhabitable homes. The list of approved hotels/motels can be found at: www.femaevachotels.com. Please note that the number of approved hotels/motels is constantly being updated. To register for transitional housing assistance, visit www.fema.gov or call toll free at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
Monday evening, at the state’s request, the federal government granted Texas a federal waiver to provide emergency food stamps to eligible low-income individuals and families living in any of the 29 counties that were declared disaster areas. Current food stamp recipients living in those areas will automatically receive replacement benefits for a portion of their September benefits. In addition, residents in Rusk and Leon counties will also receive replacement for a portion of their September benefits due to extensive power outages in that area. The replacement benefits will help more than 500,000 Texans in areas where power outages or flooding damaged or destroyed a family's food supply.
For a comprehensive overview of the state’s activity related to Hurricane Ike response and recovery, please visit the Hurricane Center on the governor’s website at: http://www.governor.state.tx.us.
Search and rescue (SAR) efforts are ongoing along the Texas coast. To date, more than 3,540 residents from coastal areas have been rescued by air, ground and water. As of Tuesday afternoon, 270 shelters were open throughout the state housing more than 29,800 evacuees; more than 1,322 truckloads of water and 1,161 truckloads of ice have been distributed throughout the storm-affected areas.
Texas residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another state may call 1-877-541-7905 to reach the Texas 2-1-1 network and obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
Texas residents displaced by Hurricane Ike who evacuated to another area of Texas may call 2-1-1 from any Texas landline or Texas cell phone to obtain information on how and where to apply for food stamp benefits or seek additional assistance.
Evacuees cautioned not to re-enter damaged areas prematurely
Emergency management officials are appealing to residents of Texas and Louisiana who evacuated in advance of Hurricane Ike’s landfall to stay put.
“This hurricane has caused devastation across areas of Texas and Louisiana,” said Chief David R. Paulison, Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Along with our federal, state and local partners, FEMA is working around the clock to get live-saving assistance into the hardest hit areas. We need everyone’s cooperation to keep passable roads clear and to prevent those returning from placing additional burdens on the limited shelter, food and water in the heavily impacted areas.”
Many residents in Texas and Louisiana heeded evacuation orders and made the safe choice to leave areas threatened by Hurricane Ike. Early reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of customers are without power in impacted areas, and for some, it may be many days or weeks before power and other essential utilities are fully restored.
Returning residents could face blocked and washed out roads, downed power lines across highways, unsafe road crossings due to flooding and many other dangers. Many storm related deaths occur when residents return to their communities and homes, a statistic FEMA is trying to minimize in Ike’s wake.
“We know people are anxious to return home, but we are asking for everyone’s patience in waiting for the all clear,” said Paulison. “Our greatest concern is the safety of Texas and Louisiana residents, first responders and rescue workers.”
FEMA pre-staged emergency response teams and critical commodities such as water and meals ready-to-eat (MREs), and tarps in strategic locations in Texas and Louisiana. Convoys of supplies are moving into heavily impacted areas but with many roads damaged or impassable, it may be several days before emergency workers are able to reach all the victims of Ike.
FEMA recommends that evacuees tune to local news coverage wherever they are located for ongoing response and recovery information. Federal, state and local officials will work with the media in these areas to communicate emergency information as it becomes available.
FEMA also reemphasized that volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency. Self-dispatched volunteers can put themselves and others in harm's way and hamper rescue efforts. To learn how you can volunteer or how to make a donation, go to the www.fema.gov
Federal aid programs for texas disaster recovery
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush’s major disaster declaration issued for Texas.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.
Direct Federal Assistance:
FEMA will provide direct federal assistance through a mission assignment to another federal agency - upon request of the state - when the state and local government certify they lack the capability to perform or contract for the requested work. The state shall agree in advance to reimburse FEMA for the appropriate non-federal share of the work including the overhead of the federal agency assigned the task.
How to Apply for Assistance:
Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses.
Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Rep. Green and “Team Texas” to coordinate federal funding for hurricane Ike recovery
U.S. Rep. Gene Green (D-Houston) joined U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–Texas) and six other members of the Texas Congressional delegation to coordinate their joint efforts to secure federal funding for the recovery from Hurricane Ike before the end of September.
Green was joined by Reps. Al Green (D-Houston) and Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) whose districts were also directly impacted by the hurricane. Also in attendance were Reps. Chet Edwards (D-Waco), Kay Granger (R-Ft. Worth), John Carter (R-Round Rock), and Ciro Rodriquez (D-San Antonio), all of whom serve on the House Appropriations Committee. All the Members of Congress stressed their resolve in delivering federal funding for recovery efforts from Hurricane Ike before Congress adjourns for the election season.
“Ike tore through the eastern part of our district in Baytown. I saw the devastation through the weekend and arrived in Washington late last night,” Green said. “Much of our district is still without power, from downtown Houston all the way out to Baytown. The situation is improving compared to yesterday, but full recovery will be a long road.”
Green said he and his staff have been on the ground to help with the recovery effort. “We’re making sure those P.O.D. centers that FEMA is staffing work seamlessly today. Representatives from my staff are actually at these P.O.D.s [points of distribution] because we don’t have power in our offices in the district. FEMA is doing a good job so far and it seems we've avoided the major mistakes of Katrina,” he said.
Green noted that Texans can contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting
http://www.FEMAEvacHotels.com.
Green said the group of Texas lawmakers is working to attach disaster funding for Hurricane Ike recovery to the upcoming Continuing Resolution (C.R.). The C.R. is a broad spending measure that will be considered by Congress this working session.
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